The reaction of brain to this situation is immediate and spontaneous initiation of a whole cascade of adaptive changes acting in different periods, having an adaptation of brain to new and difficult functional conditions in view, and making the essence of compensatory mechanisms. These mechanisms are possible due to the fundamental feature of nervous system which is the brain plasticity. Behavioural consequences of brain damage in the shape of different cognitive, perceptive or personal disorders are the result of acting neural adaptive processes. Therefore, knowing about course, organisation, sources and range of acting the spontaneous neurocompensation become important in the situation of professional treatment of people who are afflicted by brain damage.
Languages in the World differ in many aspects. Do linguistic differences lead to differences in thinking? If the answer is in the affirmative, then which aspects of language cause differences in thinking, and how strong is their effect? The article discusses the relationship between language and thinking and the different conceptions of linguistic relativity. Linguistic relativity claims that linguistic differences cause differences in thinking. A unique conception of linguistic relativity is called processing relativity: certain types of languages use the universal processing mechanisms in a different way. Linguistic relativity can be interpreted in the context of neuroplasticity as well: can different (first-) language experiences affect the fixation of plastic brain areas? In this respect we touch upon recent neuroimaging and genetics results from the field of tonal languages. Taken together, we advocate the weak version of linguistic relativity, the universal processing mechanisms, and the linguistic governing of neuroplasticity.
JavaScript is turned off in your web browser. Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.