Which part of the brain is primarily affected when a person has difficulty understanding language?

Wernicke's area is primarily responsible for language comprehension. It is located in the left hemisphere of the brain, specifically in the posterior part of the superior temporal gyrus. When this area is damaged, it can lead to Wernicke's aphasia, a condition characterized by difficulties in understanding spoken and written language, although the person's ability to produce language may remain intact. This condition highlights the critical role that Wernicke’s area plays in processing and making sense of language, making it the key region to consider when discussing challenges with language comprehension.