Wired for Words

Neuroscience

Wired for Words: Understanding Language and the Brain

Gregory Hickok Ph.D. on November 9, 2025

After 150 years of mystery, neuroscience has finally cracked the code on how language works in the brain—and the answer is surprisingly elegant.

After 150 years of mystery, neuroscience has finally cracked the code on how language works in the brain—and the answer is surprisingly elegant.

Neuroscience

Beyond Broca: The Two Routes to Speaking

Gregory Hickok Ph.D. on November 3, 2025

For 150 years, Broca's area has defined speech production. Now scientists have discovered a second parallel system that controls the melody and rhythm of how we speak and sing.

For 150 years, Broca's area has defined speech production. Now scientists have discovered a second parallel system that controls the melody and rhythm of how we speak and sing.

Neuroscience

The Hidden Orchestra: How Ancient Systems Underlie Speech

Gregory Hickok Ph.D. on October 23, 2025

Your brain transforms thoughts into speech using an ancient blueprint: the sensorimotor control system. New research reveals how evolution repurposed movement control for language.

Your brain transforms thoughts into speech using an ancient blueprint: the sensorimotor control system. New research reveals how evolution repurposed movement control for language.

Neuroscience

How Your Brain Conducts the Symphony of Speech

Gregory Hickok Ph.D. on September 26, 2025

A tiny brain blip during silent speech revealed the shocking truth: Your brain plans words by imagining sounds, not movements. This discovery revolutionized speech science.

A tiny brain blip during silent speech revealed the shocking truth: Your brain plans words by imagining sounds, not movements. This discovery revolutionized speech science.

Neuroscience

Telegrams and Sentence Monsters

Gregory Hickok Ph.D. on September 10, 2025

Discover how studying the breakdown of language following a stroke has finally revealed the hidden machinery of one of humanity's most remarkable abilities.

Discover how studying the breakdown of language following a stroke has finally revealed the hidden machinery of one of humanity's most remarkable abilities.

Aphasia

The Secret Life of Words

Gregory Hickok Ph.D. on August 22, 2025

Words aren't simply sounds connected to meanings, but involve a hidden "middle layer" that might unlock a deeper understanding of how language works generally.

Words aren't simply sounds connected to meanings, but involve a hidden "middle layer" that might unlock a deeper understanding of how language works generally.

Left Brain - Right Brain

We Are Still Under the Spell of Split-Brain Research

Gregory Hickok Ph.D. on August 6, 2025

For decades, researchers insisted the left brain dominates all aspects of language. But rare cases of "word deafness" and new experiments reveal a hidden symmetry.

For decades, researchers insisted the left brain dominates all aspects of language. But rare cases of "word deafness" and new experiments reveal a hidden symmetry.

Neuroscience

The Will of the Ball

Gregory Hickok Ph.D. on July 27, 2025

Research reveals how your brain carries out complex tasks, including speech, without your awareness.

Research reveals how your brain carries out complex tasks, including speech, without your awareness.