Which processor is primarily involved in decoding spoken language?

The phonological processor is primarily involved in decoding spoken language because it is responsible for recognizing and manipulating the sounds of language, known as phonemes. This processor plays a crucial role in the phonological awareness needed for understanding speech, as it helps individuals break down spoken language into its component sounds and then blend those sounds back together to form words. This is essential for effective communication and literacy skills, especially when learning to read and write, as it facilitates the connection between sounds and their corresponding letters or groups of letters.

In contrast, the orthographic processor is associated with recognizing written language, the semantic processor deals with understanding meanings of words and sentences, and the contextual processor is involved in interpreting language based on situational context. Each processor has a distinct function, but the decoding of spoken language specifically hinges on the abilities and functions of the phonological processor.