Words are among the basic building blocks of language, allowing us to share a tremendous range of ideas. This book summarizes research on how words are represented, organized, and processed in our brain, offering a fascinating window into the neural basis of language. It begins with a foundational overview of linguistics and neuroscience, including neurons, networks and functional areas. It then delves into key topics and theories. It explores such questions as How do the meanings of words for objects and events relate to the brain regions involved in perception and action? Are different semantic categories of words, like those for animals and tools, segregated in the brain? What are the neural substrates of abstract words? The book describes how different theories answer these questions, and how numerous experiments help adjudicate between them. It also includes learning objectives, chapter summaries, and over 60 figures.

‘This engaging and up-to-date book brings together what we currently know about how the brain understands word meanings—a topic at the heart of human intelligence. Kemmerer makes complex science accessible without losing depth. A valuable guide for anyone interested in mind, brain, and language.’

Yanchao Bi - Professor, School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, China