WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE UTTER A TONGUE TWISTER?
Keywords:
tongue twisters, neurocognition, speech production, Broca’s area, motor cortex, phonological complexity, articulatory precision, working memory, prefrontal cortex, auditory feedback, sensorimotor integration, executive control, language acquisition, cognitive training, speech therapyAbstract
Have you ever attempted “The sixth sick sheik’s sixth sheep’s sick” and felt your speech unravel? What seems like harmless wordplay is a potent probe into the brain’s speech engine. This article delves into the neurocognitive processes activated when uttering tongue twisters, synthesizing evidence from thirty key studies. It examines how areas like Broca’s region, the motor cortex, prefrontal areas, auditory processing zones, and working memory circuits collaborate to handle phonological overload, articulatory demands, and error correction. By expanding on empirical findings, the piece highlights tongue twisters as tools for enhancing language skills, cognitive flexibility, and therapeutic interventions, offering a human-centered lens on the brain's speaking prowess.
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