Nanosyntax in the neurolinguistic analysis of aphasia: theoretical compatibility and possible diagnostic tools.

The primary objective of the project is to investigate the theoretical compatibility of the nanosyntax approach to generative grammar in terms of the current neurolinguistic analyses of aphasia based on generative frameworks. The secondary objective is to devise a set of cross-linguistic diagnostic tools pertaining to task methodology and task variation in order to provide theoretical and methodological basis for further cross linguistic analysis of aphasia and possibly other related speech impairments. Critical R&D challenges include the development of effective language production and comprehension tasks, which are finely tuned to test specific theory internal predictions pertaining to grammatical structures and morphological processes. Another chall enge is to create the tasks for a wide range of languages to facilitate cross linguistic comparisons. Hence, international cooperation is crucial for the accomplishment of the project. The long term benefits of the project should pertain not only to ( neuro)linguistics, but also to the field of public health care. The linguistic side includes contribution to the advancement of the theory of language as well as to the understanding of the complex mechanisms operating in the human brain. The possible ben efits for health care include refining the tratment and rehabilitations methods for patients suffering from language disorders.