The contribution of the frontal lobe to the perception of speech

Classical models of language claim a clear-cut distinction between language production and perception, indicating for them a different localization in the brain, and limiting the involvement of the frontal lobe exclusively in motor functions. In this review we present empirical evidence pointing to a weaker separation between sensory and motor functions, showing that the motor system plays an important role also in perception. In particular, very recent neurophysiological literature shows that a selective alteration of neural activity in speech motor centers alters speech perception. This result not only confirms that the classical sensory versus motor separation has to be abandoned, but underlines the causal contribution of the frontal lobe to the perception of speech.