Language study offers new twist on mind-body connection " Their findings support previous research indicating the connection between people's knowledge of language and the motor system; however, that connection is different than what has been previously assumed. The motor system doesn't drive linguistic preference directly, they found. Rather, abstract rules of language guide linguistic preference, and these abstract rules can triggermotor action. In other words, motor action is a consequence of—not the cause of—linguistic preference. " " The results show that speech perception automatically engages the articulatory motor system, but linguistic preferences persist even when the language motor system is disrupted. These findings suggest that, despite their intimate links, the language and motor systems are distinct. "Language is designed to optimize motor action, but its knowledge consists of principles that are disembodied and potentially abstract," the researchers concluded. " Hmmm....interesting. *twitch*
