The paper describes the investigation of some modifications of language and intellectual functions associated with damage to the right cerebral hemisphere. A group of subjects with right cerebral damage was asked to complete a series of widely-varying verbal tests designed to assess their ability to deal with various linguistic tasks. On comparing the results with those for a matched, non-damaged control group, it was found that the experimental subjects performed less proficiently than those in the control group. Linguistic and intellectual modifications became more apparent when abstract concepts were involved and it is concluded that, contrary to most previously published observations, the right cerebral hemisphere is important for high-level language functioning.