Our brain not only synchronizes with the physical aspects of speech but also with the meanings embedded within words and sentences. This synchronization with both the sounds and the meaning of language remains one of the most fascinating aspects of my work. The brain is adding information that is not directly in the sound waves because it layers experience and memory over everything we hear, amazing right? (Text continues below).
Did you ever think about how special it is that we can communicate seamlessly with people we know well and those we have just met?
I study how speech and language are possible in the mind and brain at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen. I find language a really interesting human behaviour because, as we all notice, we are the only species that seems to have language in the way we do. My research involves studying the magnetic waves generated by the brain as people speak and listen, and using computational models to simulate these processes. The goal is to understand how the brain’s structure enables us to speak, understand, and share ideas.
All cells within our brain work together to decode spoken language in a ‘symphony of cells’. There is not a particular region doing it all; it is this dynamic pattern of brain activity across cells that represents information. The synchrony between brain activity and speech is remarkable. It is almost as if the brain is filling in the gaps with what it expects to hear, based on our past experiences and language patterns.
I am aware of the misconceptions surrounding language research, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence. Large language models might write grammatical paragraphs, but that does not mean they understand language like humans do. Despite their impressive capabilities, these models lack the contextual understanding and memory integration that define human language processing. Just because it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck does not mean it is a duck!
For me, becoming a scientist was a path shaped by an enduring curiosity and fascination with the workings of the mind. If you ask me what drives me, I will say it is that childlike curiosity. Kids are the real scientists which are constantly testing theories, adjusting their understanding, and asking endless questions. My career allows me to delve into questions that have captivated me since childhood, and I find it privilege and a luxury to be paid to explore these mysteries.
At the Max Planck Institute and the Donders Institute network, I have the chance to mentor young scientists and see them grow. I relish the collaborative aspect of research, where I am able to guide students through the highs and lows of scientific exploration. Watching them develop as researchers and complete their projects is incredibly rewarding. It is about seeing them evolve not only as scientists but as individuals.
I am most proud of building up a team dedicated to using neuroimaging and computational models to answer fundamental questions about language. When I came here in 2016, I had big dreams but little time to explore them. Now, I have built a team that is united in working on these ideas, and together we are pushing the boundaries of what we know about language in the brain. There are times I thought, I do not know how to make this work, but I learned that every setback is an opportunity to learn. Grit is essential to success in science. Not just having insight but to get up again when things do not go your way.
People of Donders
Behind every scientific discovery lies a story. A story of scientists and staff driven by curiosity and perseverance. What motivates them to delve into the complex world of the brain day in and day out? What continues to fascinate them? What challenges do they face? And what does their work mean to them personally? In the People of Donders series you will meet the people behind the science, discover their passions, and learn what they think is most fascinating about our brains.