Expressivity and Neurolinguistics

Abstract This chapter discusses the functional neuroanatomy of expressives within a cognitive-pragmatic framework, focusing on the neural instantiation of the cognitive representations and processes that characterize the use of expressives in natural language in-use. In particular, the role of prosody in impacting the meaning and comprehension of expressives is highlighted. Detailed descriptions of selected studies are provided to illustrate research across domains and across ages, starting with early childhood. The chapter distinguishes between expressives and descriptives and discusses their behavioral differences. The discussion of the neurophysiology of the perception and production of expressives points to specific brain regions and the distribution of labor for expressives and descriptives across the two hemispheres. The chapter also reflects on how a pragmatic approach that combines behavioral and neurophysiological considerations provides a basis for examining expressives as speech acts. The chapter closes by proposing future directions for the studyof expressives.