It is common knowledge that there are two brain hemispheres, left and right, and they have different functions in processing information. Usually, it is believed, and I believed so till today, that if you are right-handed you are left-brained and vice versa (I’m left handed for that matter, but the right-brained description never actually resembled much of who I am and how do I behave).
Brain lateralization and handedness: it’s not as you think
Brain function lateralization is evident in the phenomena of right- or left-handedness and of right or left ear preference, but a person’s preferred hand is not a clear indication of the location of brain function.
Although 95% of right-handed people have left-hemisphere dominance for language, only 18.8% of left-handed people have right-hemisphere dominance for language function. Additionally, 19.8% of the left-handed have bilateral language functions.
Even within various language functions (e.g., semantics, syntax, prosody), degree (and even hemisphere) of dominance may differ. That means that left-handed people are actually more likely to be left-brained as well.
Hemispheric Dominance Test: which sphere is your dominant one?
Since handedness is no indication whatsoever, I researched further and found this test:
Hemispheric Dominance Inventory Test
Answering few questions gives a descriptive answer which hemisphere is the dominant one. Mine is left. But what does that actually mean?
Left Hemisphere Style
- Responds to verbal instructions
- Problem solves by logically and sequentially looking at the parts of things
- Looks at differences
- Prefers established, certain information
- Prefers talking and writing
- Prefers multiple choice tests
- Controls feelings
- Prefers ranked authority structures
- Is logical, sees cause and effect
- Draws on previously accumulated, organized information
Hemispheres and languages: is anyone privileged?
What is the difference for people working with languages?
Linear reasoning and language functions such as grammar and vocabulary often are lateralized to the left hemisphere of the brain. In contrast, prosodic language functions, such as intonation and accentuation, often are lateralized to the right hemisphere of the brain. The processing of visual and audiological stimuli, spatial manipulation, facial perception, and artistic ability seem to be functions of the right hemisphere.
Left hemisphere language functions: grammar/vocabulary
Right hemisphere language functions: intonation/accentuation, prosody, pragmatic, contextual
Well, we have three possible combinations then:
1) Right-handed left-brained
2) Left-handed right-brained
3) Left-handed left-brained
In his book Right-Hand, Left-Hand, Chris McManus of University College London argues that the proportion of left-handers is increasing and left-handed people as a group have historically produced an above-average quota of high achievers. He says that left-handers’ brains are structured differently in a way that increases their range of abilities, and the genes that determine left-handedness also govern development of the language centres of the brain.
Are translators right- or left-brained?
My university group had 4 left-handed people in a group of 23. Our tutor was asking every group each year and she concluded that she’s always having more left-handed people when teaching translation than in any other group. Are translators right-brained or left-brained then?
I am left-handed and left-brained.
What about you? Can we find any regularities in there?
Marta Stelmaszak
Marta Stelmaszak is a translator between Polish and English, combining language skills with a thorough understanding of economics and business to help SMEs make as big an international impact as possible, providing translation and interpreting services for the legal, business and marketing sectors. Read Marta's book on business.
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11 Comments
right-handed and right brained
Great to know!
This is a fascinating topic, thanks for sharing.
I am mostly left-handed, but right-handed for certain sports like volleyball, and almost ambidextrous in some others, like tennis.
Apparently I’m 100% left-brained, having answered all 18 questions of the test as a left-brained person according to the results…!
It’s amazing that you scored 100% left! I got 6 answers for right ant 12 for left…
hi, Marta
Very interesting topic. I’m right-handed and left-brained, according to the test with 100% score - didn’t know that
It is interesting, isn’t it – how we naturally favour one (or both) hands for specific tasks.
Actually, there are four possible combinations, the fourth being right-handed right-brained - and that’s me
Very interesting article!
Dear Marta, this is interesting
I was just browsing your archives when I found this article. I am strongly left-handed and probably co-dominant: this test found me left-brained, another right-brained, and I do know I have a mix of verbal and spatial thinking (being both an interpreter and an architect).
This is an interesting mix of professions 😉
I just found this article, reading through your archives and found that I am left-brained (although only just). I am right-handed
Thanks, Esther, it’s good to know