Visual Language Processing and Unilateral Neglect: Evidence from American Sign Language

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of neglect on visual language processing from a unique perspective; we present a case study of a deaf user of American Sign Language who suffers from left visual field neglect. Surprisingly, the signer's ability to process visual linguistic signs is not affected by neglect. In contrast, the processing of non-linguistic objects is severely impaired. This unique dissociation forces consideration of interactions betw een attention, language structure, language recognition, and object representations. This study provides compelling evidence for the interaction between linguistic knowledge and cognitive mechanisms underlying visual attention. Implications for theories of attention and representation are discussed.