Visual and linguistic components of short-term memory: Generalized Neural Model (GNM) for spoken and sign languages

Cortex; a Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior
Evie Malaia, R B Wilbur

Abstract

The question of apparent discrepancies in short-term memory capacity for sign language and speech has long presented difficulties for the models of verbal working memory. While short-term memory (STM) capacity for spoken language spans up to 7 ± 2 items, the verbal working memory capacity for sign languages appears to be lower at 5 ± 2. The assumption that both auditory and visual communication (sign language) rely on the same memory buffers led to the claims of impairment of STM buffers in sign language users. Yet, no common model deals with both the sensory and linguistic nature of spoken and sign languages. The authors present a generalized neural model (GNM) of short-term memory use across modalities, which accounts for experimental results in both sign and spoken languages. GNM postulates that during hierarchically organized processing phases in language comprehension, spoken language users rely on neural resources for spatial representation in sequential rehearsal strategy, i.e., the phonological loop. The spatial nature of sign language precludes signers from utilizing a similar 'overflow' strategy, which speakers rely on to extend their STM capacity. This model offers a parsimonious neuroarchitectural explanation for th...Continue Reading

Citations

Nov 13, 2018·Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Cognitive Science·Alice Blumenthal-Dramé, Evie Malaia
Sep 11, 2019·Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Cognitive Science·Evie A Malaia, Ronnie B Wilbur
May 20, 2021·Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education·Eyal Heled, Maayan Ohayon

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