Abstract: Language is unique to human being, and language experience is critical in shaping both functional and anatomical development of human brain. Specifically, the initial experience at the early stage of the development is extremely important. However, few neuro-imaging studies have been done to investigate this issue. In this paper, we raised a proposal to explore the impact of age of first language acquisition with comparing deaf native signers who have early sign language experience and nonnative signers who have no sign language experience. We will compare the functional development of the brain in both groups, including the working neural network underlying language comprehension and production, and the default network in resting state. We will also compared the structural development by measuring the gray matter volume (density) and the fractional anisotropy (FA) values of whiter matter, to explore how early language experience shapes both function and structure of the brain.

Key words: language experience, deaf people, brain imaging, brain plasticity