Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
In the context of language tasks, "dominant" refers to the hemisphere of the brain that is primarily responsible for processing and producing language. It is traditionally believed that the left hemisphere is dominant for language tasks.
Related terms
Non-dominant Hemisphere: The non-dominant hemisphere refers to the opposite side of the brain from which language dominance typically occurs. In most individuals, this would be the right hemisphere.
Bilateral Representation: This term describes situations where both hemispheres are involved in processing certain aspects of language tasks instead of having a clear dominance on one side.
Language Lateralization: Language lateralization refers to how specific functions related to language are localized or divided between different hemispheres in the brain.