1. BRAIN FUNCTION AND LATERALIZATION In the introductory lecture on language and the brain, I cited the following passage from the Bible (Psalm 137, verses 5-6):5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. 6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy. (In class, I quoted the King James version. The citation here is from the New International Version (NIV), in which the English is a little easier for us to understand today.)WHAT IS BEST STATEMENT OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PASSAGE FOR THE STUDY OF LANGUAGE AND THE BRAIN?
a. Even at the time the Psalms were written, lateralization of brain function was understood.
b. From early times, the consistent association of incapacity in right side motor functions with incapacity in language was well-recognized.
c. Injury to the right side of the body was known to bring about language incapacity.
d. It was believed that as punishment for sin, God would take away the two most important abilities for functioning in human society: language and the ability to use the right hand (since most people are right-handed).
e. The psalmist believes that without the ability to speak, he will not be able to write (his right hand will “forget its skill”).