Participants in the study learned to associate subtle tactile patterns on their fingertips, similar to Braille, with specific auditory signals. One set of patterns was paired with spoken pseudowords (such as “gnarf” or “fromp”), while the other set was associated with short sequences of musical notes. After five days of training, participants became significantly better at distinguishing the tactile patterns that had been paired with words – but not those paired with music. Given this discrepancy, the researchers argue that linguistic input directly shapes sensory perception.

“Our results show that language has a unique power to enhance perceptual discrimination,” says Miller. “Even meaningless word forms can restructure sensory representations in the brain, helping people detect fine differences they couldn’t feel before.”

The researchers explain that the effect derives from how language engages multimodal brain circuits, linking auditory, motor, and somatosensory regions. The findings shed new light on the neurobiological basis of linguistic relativity and on how words can fine-tune sensory processing.

The study, “Language, but Not Music, Shapes Tactile Perception,” was conducted in collaboration with the Cluster of Excellence “Science of Intelligence” and with the support of the German Research Foundation (DFG).