This is Your Brain on Esperanto and Klingon

The Intersection of Language and Neuroscience

Recent research sheds light on how constructed languages, or “conlangs,” influence the brain in ways similar to natural languages. This finding, featured in a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, explores the neural mechanisms that engage when speakers of languages such as Esperanto, Klingon, and Na’vi communicate. The study reflects a growing interest in the cognitive effects of linguistics, especially among fans of fictional worlds.

The Study: Research Methodology and Findings

Led by MIT neuroscientist Evelina Fedorenko, the study aimed to investigate whether the brain processes invented languages in the same manner as natural languages. Fedorenko’s previous work on language processing showcased that stimuli such as music and gestures did not engage the same brain regions activated during natural language use.

To explore the connection further, the research team organized a conference, inviting conlang creators and speakers. They recruited 44 participants fluent in various conlangs, including Klingon, Dothraki, and Esperanto. During the experiment, participants underwent fMRI scans while they listened to sentences in both their chosen conlang and their native language. As a control, they were asked to perform nonlinguistic tasks at various points throughout the fMRI scan.

The results revealed a significant finding: language-processing regions in the brain were similarly activated regardless of whether participants were using a conlang or their native tongue. This suggests that the way these languages convey meaning relates to the fundamental aspects of human experience—such as objects and events—much like natural languages do.

Conlangs vs. Programming Languages

One area of particular distinction noted in the study was between conlangs and programming languages, such as Python. While participants showed active engagement with both conlangs and their native languages, programming languages appeared to engage distinct brain functions due to their abstract and symbolic nature. This emphasizes the unique qualities of natural and constructed human languages in capturing the nuances of human experience.

Future Directions: Investigating Lojban

The research group plans to expand their investigation into how the brain processes another conlang, Lojban, which was developed in the 1990s as a logical language. By studying Lojban, the team hopes to uncover specific linguistic features that may influence the activation of brain regions tied to language. This could further enhance our understanding not only of how language functions in the brain but also of how constructed languages can serve unique cognitive roles.

A Cultural Reflection on Conlangs

Languages such as Esperanto, Klingon, and Na’vi have attracted dedicated communities of speakers who immerse themselves in these constructed languages, often significantly embodying the cultures they represent. The study aligns with a broader cultural phenomenon in which fans of fictional works invest time in learning the languages created for those worlds, allowing a deeper connection to the narratives and communities surrounding them.

These findings could also influence how educators and linguists approach language teaching, fostering a greater appreciation for expressive and communicative skills in both natural and constructed languages.

Conclusion: Implications for Language and Brain Research

The implications of this research extend beyond academic curiosity, carrying potential impacts for various fields including linguistics, cognitive science, and even artificial intelligence. As the lines between natural and constructed languages continue to blur, this study lays the groundwork for future explorations into the complexities of human language. Understanding how conlangs activate similar neural pathways as natural languages may deepen our collective appreciation for linguistic diversity and cognitive function, reinforcing the power of language as a tool for human connection and understanding.

This groundbreaking research on conlangs highlights how language—whether native or constructed—forms a significant part of our cognitive landscape, shaping our perceptions of the world around us.