In most humans, language is lateralized to the left side of the brain. It h
as been speculated that this hemispheric specialization is a prerequisite f
or the full realization of linguistic potential. Using standardized questio
nnaires and performance measures, we attempted to determine if there are be
havioural correlates of atypical, i.e. right-hemispheric and bilateral, lan
guage lateralization. The side and degree of language lateralization were d
etermined by measuring the hemispheric perfusion differences by functional
transcranial Doppler ultrasonography during a word generation task in healt
hy volunteers. Subjects with left (n = 264), bilateral (n = 31) or right (n
= 31) hemisphere language representation did not differ significantly with
respect to mastery of foreign languages, academic achievement, artistic ta
lents, verbal fluency or (as assessed in a representative subgroup) in inte
lligence or speed of linguistic processing. These findings suggest that aty
pical hemispheric specialization for language, i.e. right-hemisphere or bil
ateral specialization, is not associated with major impairments of linguist
ic faculties in otherwise healthy subjects.