Keeping the route and speaking coherently: The hidden link between spatial navigation and discourse processing

In this paper we argue that a “hidden link” correlates discourse processing and spatial navigation. Specifically, we argue that two navigational systems (planning the route and landmark knowledge) can be profitably used to account for the analysis of the coherence of the flow of discourse. Consistent with this hypothesis, some brain regions activated by spatial navigation tasks are strikingly overlapping with the regions involved in discourse processing. Moreover, brain damaged people have severe deficits at the level of discourse processing that can be interpreted in terms of an impaired navigational capacity to orient themselves in the flow of discourse.

► A “hidden link” correlates discourse processing and spatial navigation.
► Discourse coherence depends on processes like goal planning and landmark knowledge.
► Brain regions activated by navigation tasks and discourse processing are overlapping.