Verbal short-term memory and temporary activation of language representations: The importance of distinguishing item and order information

This chapter presents developmental, neuropsychological and neuroimaging arguments in favour of a position considering that short-term storage of item information is intimately related to temporary activation of the language network. On the other hand, I will argue that short-term storage of serial order information is a speci®c function of a dedicated short-term memory system. I will conclude by proposing a short-term memory framework that integrates language processing and serial order processing modules, and which is supported by a common but ¯exible pool of attentional resources.