Hearing Sounds, Understanding Actions: Action Representation in Mirror Neurons

@article{Kohler2002HearingSU,
  title={Hearing Sounds, Understanding Actions: Action Representation in Mirror Neurons},
  author={Evelyne Kohler and Christian Keysers and Maria Alessandra Umilt{\`a} and Leonardo Fogassi and Vittorio Gallese and Giacomo Rizzolatti},
  journal={Science},
  year={2002},
  volume={297},
  pages={846 - 848}
}
Many object-related actions can be recognized by their sound. We found neurons in monkey premotor cortex that discharge when the animal performs a specific action and when it hears the related sound. Most of the neurons also discharge when the monkey observes the same action. These audiovisual mirror neurons code actions independently of whether these actions are performed, heard, or seen. This discovery in the monkey homolog of Broca's area might shed light on the origin of language… 
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1,695 Citations

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It is hypothesized that several components of human language, including some aspects of phonology and syntax, could be embedded in the organizational properties of the motor system and that a deeper knowledge of this system could shed light on how language evolved.
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The results suggest that the human brain embodies a higher-order audio-visuo-motor representation of perceived actions, which is muscle-independent and corresponds to the goals of the action.
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Single-cell recording in macaque monkeys has uncovered mirror neurons, which respond both when a monkey observes a transitiveaction, carries out that transitive action, or hears a sound associated with that action.
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