Right hemisphere writing and spelling

Abstract

The role of the right hemisphere in language processing has been extensively researched over the past 30 years. The focus of this work has been on written word comprehension, spoken word comprehension and spoken word production, with less attention paid to written word production. Despite this, there is mounting evidence that the isolated right hemisphere is capable of written language production. The aim of this paper is to review this evidence. The most pertinent data come from split-brain patients, patients with extensive left hemisphere lesions and patients who have undergone left hemispherectomy. The data show the isolated right hemisphere of split-brain patients is capable of written language even if spoken word production is absent. The right hemisphere can also develop a capacity to write and spell after damage to the left hemisphere. Further, the type of spelling skill displayed by the right hemisphere is constrained to a lexico-semantic strategy. As with studies of right hemisphere written word comprehension, significant problems exist when interpreting writing and spelling behaviour, and there are unique problems associated with assessment of writing and spelling data in patient groups. These problems are discussed, and suggestions for further investigations of right hemisphere written word production are made.