Abstract

Much has been discussed about the Theory of Mind (ToM) and language. Some authors suggest that activating one enlightens the other, while others view language merely as a tool for developing the most distinctly human ability known. When it comes to speech and communication disorders, tracing ToM can be challenging since patients lack the tools to demonstrate their cognitive performance. This chapter delves into the biological foundations of ToM (anatomical and neurochemical). It also explores the evolution of ToM and neuroplasticity along our lifespan so that the reader can understand that nothing is static, that our brain engages in an everlasting dynamic relationship to keep us healthy and safe. This understanding has significant implications in how we approach language pathologies and the cognitive decline they might hinder. Additionally, the chapter examines the pragmatic side of language, offering insights into the right hemisphere and its role in emotion and affective communication. It considers the production-perception loop in communication, acknowledging that language and cognition cannot always be solely measured from production or perception alone. Social, cultural, and pathological factors may intervene and disrupt this loop, prompting the need for careful consideration in ToM theories and methods, particularly in the context of language pathologies. All these considerations should not be considered as preliminary or complementary, but central in understanding the implications of language in ToM, what language must really entail, so that the best clinical assessment and intervention is possible for patients with language pathologies. Finally, the chapter blends all these analyses into offering a review of crucial aspects of ToM in patients with aphasia.