3) The LANGUAGE FUNCTION.

« The language function relies entirely on psycho-systematic mechanisms. It is a mechanism of abstraction based on abstract symbols and requires tremendously complex auditory integration circuits; it only exists in human beings, while symbolism is also found in animals. The pathological alteration of the language function is called aphasia in adults and, most of the time, ‘delayed acquisition of language’ in children.

The integrative function and the language function both depend on conditioned behaviours – developed through learning processes – and are not prioritised one over another over time. On a scale of complexity and psychological properties, the function of image formation comes first, followed by symbols and concepts elaboration. The identification process for each phonetic group goes by no means through each of these three successive stages. The essence of human intelligence relies on the capacity to identify numerous concepts from a minimum of images. These three stages (image, symbol, concept) occur simultaneously and constantly confront each other. The principle of ‘path of least resistance’ plays a crucial role here, as it allows a quick concept elaboration without taking into account the sensory functions: what defines intelligence is the capacity to reduce the amount of circuits involved (10). However, in human beings, a kind of ‘quality control’ – where memory networks check the symbol and image involved, in case the newly elaborated concept was not congruent – is constantly performed.

(10): Contrary to popular belief, intelligence is not so much about knowledge acquisition: it is about recruiting integration circuits for a limited period of time, which shall be as short as possible. It reflects the possibility to create new functional connexions through the elaboration of simplified circuits». (1)

4) Other functions that are part of the INTEGRATIVE FUNCTION.

« Symbols and messages, as seen earlier, do not produce one single acoustic picture. That is why I decided to reference, under the name of ‘non-auditory contingent’, the vibrational and visual elements as well as the gestures that are used for supplementing the acoustic identification process.

From one image, one can produce a reflex response: this behaviour is conditioned by a sound and shows how we can discriminate between an acoustic element linked to a specific signification, and other, irrelevant, acoustic signs.

When symbolisation is possible, we can either observe a response expressed in echolalia – as with parrots – or a response structured according to the signification of the received message: typically, a dog obeying its master’s voice and orders. However, neither parrots nor dogs have the capacity to use symbols for elaborating new, significant, abstract concepts: this is where we reach the frontier with human being.» (2) 

Coming next: the last function.

JYM

(1) Professor J.C. LAFON « message et phonétique » (« message and phonetics ») pp. 68-69.

(2) Professor J.C. LAFON « message et phonétique » (« message and phonetics ») page 69.

Los 23 últimos artículos permitieron evocar bastante ampliamente la AUDICIÓN y el LANGUAJE.

¿Pero cómo pasamos de la AUDICIÓN al LANGUAJE?

Varias funciones, escribe el Profesor J.C. LAFON, intervienen de la audición al lenguaje:

1) La FUNCIÓN ACÚSTICA.

2) La FUNCIÓN DE INTEGRACIÓN.

3) La FUNCIÓN LINGUÍSTICA.

4) Les OTRAS FUNCIONES DE LA INTEGRACIÓN.

5) Las FORMAS SUCESIVAS DEL CONOCIMIENTO.

« Los mensajes acústicos recogidos por la cóclea son integrados por el sistema nervioso, comparados a símbolos y reconocidos como elementos significativos. Esta función compleja representa la audición y la comprensión… » (1)

1) La FUNCIÓN ACÚSTICA.

« La función acústica corresponde al funcionamiento del oído medio y de la cóclea, entra en el marco de los estudios de la actividad fisiológica. Los sonidos transmitidos engendran vibraciones acústicas que dan a la membrana basilar una forma cambiante modelada según la resonancia coclear que llamamos « forma modelada coclear ». Es su perturbación que provoca las sorderas traducidas clínicamente por una elevación del umbral de la percepción de los sonidos. » (2)

La función acústica se suspende tan pronto se cruza el Órgano de Corti.

2) La FUNCIÓN DE INTEGRACIÓN.

« La función de integración establece la conexión entre esta forma modelada coclear y el lenguaje. Representa dos actividades: la primera, neurofisiológica, respecto a las vías auditivas y los centros; su estudio puede realizarse mediante la electrofisiológica. La segunda, psicofisiológica, basada sobre los circuitos memoriales, por lo tanto sobre asociaciones pluri-sinápticas; utiliza facultades psicológicas. No obstante, sus efectos se pueden estudiar mediante medidas fisiológicas por parte, la otra parte siendo accesible solamente a las observaciones psicológicas. Es el tránsito de los hechos a los fenómenos abstractos, de la imagen al símbolo. La patología de esta función es representada por la agnosia auditiva en el adulto, y por la falta o el retraso de integración en el niño, según se trata de una disfunción de las vías auditivas o de los circuitos memoriales; estos últimos pueden ser mejorados ya que parcialmente compensables. » (2)

En los dos artículos siguientes: las tres otras funciones.

JYM

(1) Profesor J.C. LAFON « mensaje y fonéticas » página 67-68

(2) Profesor J.C. LAFON « mensaje y fonéticas » página 68

(3) Profesor J.C. LAFON « mensaje y fonéticas » página 68-69

The past 23 articles detailed what HEARING and LANGUAGE were, individually.

But what makes the link between the HEARING and the LANGUAGE?

According to Prof. J.C. LAFON, several functions are required to make the transition from hearing to language:

1) The ACOUSTIC FUNCTION.

2) The INTEGRATIVE FUNCTION.

3) The LANGUAGE FUNCTION.

4) Other functions that are part of the INTEGRATIVE FUNCTION.

5) The SEQUENTIAL FORMS OF KNOWLEDGE.

“Acoustic messages received by the cochlea are processed and integrated in the nervous system, they are compared to previously acquired symbols and identified as significant elements. This function is complex and corresponds to both the hearing and the understanding…”(1).

1) The ACOUSTIC FUNCTION.

“The acoustic function relies on the combined functioning of the middle ear and the cochlea; it is part of the scope of physiological activity studies. The transmitted sounds result in acoustic vibrations that trigger a complex motion of the basilar membrane based on the cochlear resonance, that we call the “cochlea-dependent motion”. Impairment of the basilar membrane’s motion is a cause of deafness clinically identified by a rise in the sounds perception threshold.”(2)

The scope of the acoustic function ends at the organ of Corti level.

2) The INTEGRATIVE FUNCTION.

“The integrative function sets up the link between the cochlea-dependent motion of the basilar membrane and the language. It consists in two main activities: the first one, of neuro-physiological nature, concerns the auditory pathways and centres ; it can be studied by electrophysiology. The second activity, of psycho-physiological nature, relies on memory circuits and thus, on multiple synaptic associations; it is based on psychological capacities. It can be studied, on the one hand by physiological measurements, and on the other hand, by psychological observations. It is when facts are translated into abstract notions, and images into symbols. Impairment of this function results in auditory agnosia in adults, and, in children, it causes either an integration impairment or a delayed integration depending on whether it is due to a dysfunction of the auditory pathways or due to a multifunction of the memory circuits; the latter can be improved, as they can be partially compensated.” (2)

The three other functions will be discussed in the next two articles.

JYM

(1) Professor J.C. LAFON « message et phonétique » (« message and phonetics ») pp. 67-68

(2) Professor J.C. LAFON « message et phonétique » (« message and phonetics ») page 68.

(3) Professor J.C. LAFON « message et phonétique » (« message and phonetics ») pp. 68-69