Alien hand syndrome and sign language(2)
Cecilia Burman
1/20/2008 4:49:49 PM
Imagine someone with alien hand syndrome. The idea, if I get it right, is that there are really two "self" in that brain, but that only one can 'talk', i.e. have access to the mouth. Both hemispheres understand language, because they both respond correctly to spoken instructions.
Now imagine that this person’s primary language is sign language (e.g. ASL). The alien right hemisphere has free access to the left hand. (Hence the name of the syndrome.) Would it be possible for the right hemisphere to use the left hand to talk?
If the right hemisphere could talk, it would probably be perceived as less ‘bright’ and less good at language, since logic and language are primarily located in the left hemisphere. Basic sign language seems to be easier than spoken language to learn; Children with sign language as their mother tongue talk earlier then children with a spoken language as their mother tongue. Disabled children and even apes can learn some sign language when they can’t learn to speak.
An unusually high percentage of the people diagnosed ONLY with Capgras syndrome for their own mirror image, seem to be using sign language to communicate with their mirror image. Could it be that some of them are actually communicating with the other hemisphere of the brain? I would be very interested to hear your comments on this. Please give me some feedback if you can. If you write to me at cbtemp9@gmail.com , I will answer from my permanent e-mail address. Kind Regards, Cecilia Burman
Ailien hand syndrome and sign language
Cecilia Burman
1/6/2008 11:21:02 AM
Imagine someone with alien hand syndrome. The idea, if I get it right, is that there are really two "selfs" in that brain, but that only one can "talk," i.e. have access to the mouth. Both hemispheres understand language, because they both respond correctly to spoken instructions.
Now imagine that this person’s primary language is sign language. The alien right hemisphere has free access to the left hand (hence the name of the syndrome.) Would it be possible for the right hemisphere to use the left hand to talk?
If the right hemisphere could talk, it would probably be perceived as less ‘bright’ and less good at language, since logic and language are primarily located in the left hemisphere. Basic sign language seems to be easier than spoken language to learn; Children with sign language as their mother tongue talk earlier then children with a spoken language as their mother tongue. Disabled children and even apes can learn some sign language when they can’t learn to speak.
An unusually high percentage of the people diagnosed ONLY with Capgras syndrome for their own mirror image, seem to be using sign language to communicate with their mirror image. Could it be that some of them are actually communicating with the other hemisphere of the brain? I would be very interested to hear your comments on this.