When you're engaged in a conversation with someone else (whispering) compared to talking to yourself silently, different areas of the brain become more active. The brain regions involved in communication and language processing are particularly active during spoken interactions with others.
When talking with someone else:
Broca's Area: This region, located in the left hemisphere of the brain (usually in the left frontal lobe), is responsible for speech production and language processing. It plays a crucial role in converting thoughts into spoken words and constructing sentences.
Wernicke's Area: Found in the left hemisphere (usually in the left temporal lobe), Wernicke's area is associated with language comprehension. It helps you understand the words and meanings conveyed by the other person's speech.
Auditory Cortex: This part of the brain, located in the temporal lobes, processes auditory information. When you're engaged in a conversation, the auditory cortex is highly active, allowing you to listen and interpret the spoken words.
Motor Cortex: The motor cortex, located in the frontal lobes, is responsible for controlling the movements of the muscles involved in speech production. When you're speaking aloud to someone else, the motor cortex becomes active to control the movements of your lips, tongue, and vocal cords.
When talking to yourself silently (inner speech):
Broca's Area: Just like when speaking to someone else, Broca's area is involved in the generation of inner speech when you talk to yourself silently.
Wernicke's Area: Similarly, Wernicke's area is active during inner speech, allowing you to comprehend your own thoughts as you form sentences silently.
Prefrontal Cortex: The prefrontal cortex, located in the frontal lobes, plays a significant role in executive functions, including working memory and decision-making. It is active during inner speech as you organize your thoughts and plan what to say mentally.
While some brain areas are common to both spoken interactions and inner speech, conversing with someone else involves additional brain regions related to auditory processing and speech motor control since you are not only generating inner speech but also processing and responding to external auditory stimuli.
It's important to note that the brain is a complex and interconnected system, and different regions often work in collaboration to support various cognitive functions, including communication. Research in this field is continually advancing, and our understanding of the brain's intricacies continues to evolve.