Thalamic mechanisms in language: A reconsideration based on recent findings and concepts

► The thalamus is involved in language processes through four mechanisms. ► The first selectively engages cortices needed to bind object or action features to a lexical item. ► The second passes information from one cortical area to another. ► The third enables cortical extraction of salient features via corticothalamo-cortical feedback. ► The last enhances signal-to-noise in word production via cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic loops.