Michael Tanenhaus is Professor in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Director of the Center for Language Sciences at the University of Rochester in New York City.
Professor Michael Tanenhaus’ current studies focus on how we understand language before the full meaning of phrases or sentences is known. Tanenhaus and his students use a system that monitors a person’s eye movements as they follow spoken instructions to manipulate objects. By carefully watching where a person looks while understanding spoken words, Tanenhaus can see how the brain works to understand language, even if the listener is not aware of his own brain’s efforts.