ANÁLISE DE NOVOS DADOS LINGUÍSTICOS: A ELETROENCEFALOGRAFIA EM NEUROCIÊNCIA DA LINGUAGEM

This article is about data analysis of Neuroscience of Language experiments that use the electroencephalographer (EEG) as the data acquisition device. The data acquired in these tests are the electric signals. We explain the natural discretization of analogical signals into digital ones in the brain. In order to do that, we present the brain structures directly related to this phenomenon, especially when the signals involve language: speech sounds, reading, reading in Braille, and sign language. Besides special Broadmann’s areas, Broca’s and Wernicke’s Areas are introduced with their respective aphasias. Another important issue is the propagation of electricity in the brain, through synapses. Then, the focus turns to research in Neuroscience of Language that treats EEG signals into ERP (event-related brain potential), which have a precise time resolution. Other kinds of tests within the realm of the hemodynamic research techniques in Neuroscience of Language, fMRI and PET, are also mentioned. Lastly, an ERP experiment is presented from its hypothesis, based on the Linguistic Theory, to the moment of acquisition and storage of the electrical signals. We establish the differences among the experimental stimuli; the electrocortical data evoked by the stimuli; the results, in wave form, that is, the ERPs; the classic ERPs, like N400 and P600, which come from mathematic treatment of the data, through a grand-averaging technique; and the linguistic analysis of the results, in a perspective of bringing a contribution to Linguistic Theory.