Speech and language Flashcards
What is language?
A code to translate thoughts into output and input into thoughts. It allows communication with ourselves and others.
How doe we communicate with ourselves?
Self communication, reflection, understanding, explaining and making decisions
What is important when communicating with others?
It needs to be perceived so communication must be effective.
What is effective communication?
When perception matches what it was supposed to mean. Literal meaning + intention to mean + perception = effect on individual
What is acquired alongside language?
New ways of thinking to allow thoughts to become more sophisticated
What is written language?
Discrete words separated by spaces usually complete and spelt correctly. Provides opportunity to skip, skim and re-read
What is spoken language?
Continuous sequence of sounds. Often damaged, interrupted and mumbled
What is a phonetic?
How speech sounds are produced and the acoustic result of speech articulation.
What is phonology?
How sounds are used to make words and the functions of the sounds within a particular language.
Which type of language use expressive/exgressive articulation?
Air coming out - English / European
How are vowels pronounced?
Vibrate the vocal cords with a clear vocal tract and no occlusion. Uses slower extrinsic muscles.
How are consonants pronounced?
Requires some occlusion of the vocal tract.
Out of vowels and consonants, which are affected most by conditions?
Consonants
What is a syllable?
The basic unit of articulation formed by clusters of vowels and consonants.
What are the three types of consonants and how are they produced?
- Plosives/stops = Completely occlude to hold the airstream which them explodes out. Bilabials (pbm) uses lips, Alveolars (tdn) use alveolar ridge behind teeth and Velars (kg) produceed from back of throat
- Fricatives = Partially occlude with voiced or voiceless
- Affricatives = A type of fricative that partially occludes airstream
Which consonants are affected most by a palatal problem?
Bilabials - all sounds become nasalised
Which consonants are affected most by a larynx issue?
Fricatives - can’t voice the sounds
When does language development begin?
Discrimination of language components in infancy.
Production of first words and sentences by 2 years.
Sophisticated language with humour, sarcasm, metaphors by 3 years.
Can understand more than can be spoken as a child.
Development continues into adulthood
What is the critical period for language development?
Before 8 years old. After this it becomes more difficult to learn a new language. It determines language recovery after an injury.
By 8yrs nearly all consonants and vowels can be produced and it follows a typical predictable pattern of development
When are speak disorders usually detected?
When they start speaking
What is the problem that leads to difficulty with articulation?
Problem with formation of sound e.g. palate problem
What is apraxia of speech?
Problem with language and cognition affecting receptive or expressive (understanding and explaining).
What can cause voice disorders?
Airstream problems e.g. COPD
Usually causes hypernasality or hoarse voice if tumour or nodule on cords
What results from a fluency disorder?
Stama or stutter. Usually an emotional or cognitive issue
What is and causes aphasia?
Disturbance in language formation and comprehension caused by localised dysfunction e.g. trauma, lesion, stroke, degenerative
What is the speech chain?
Linguistics of speaker/cognition —> Physiological articulation using muscles —> Acoustic reception —> Detection by ear —> Cognition of listener.
Something can go wrong at each stage of the chain.
What is dialect, sociolect and idolect?
Dialect = where you come from regionally Sociolect = how language is used socially Idiolect = Individual use of language
What is a pragmatic disorder?
Difficulty understanding context of what they say and the impact it has on others e.g. autism
What are the 5 components of language formation?
Phonolgy - Use of sounds to make meaningful words
Morphology - Structure of words
Syntax - Rules for forming a series of words
Semantics - Word and sentence meanings
Pragmatics - Social use
What is grammar?
Syntax and semantics
What is pitch, intensity and timing?
Pitch = Frequency of vibration of cords Intensity = how loud Timing = Stress or syllable timed
What type of non-acoustic signals are there?
Facial expression, body language, gesture and touch
Lip reading provides information about articulation for hearing impairments.
Paralinguistic formation uses non-acoustic signals along with stress and emphasis.
Which hemisphere is dominant for language?
Left hemisphere for right handed individuals and % of left handed individuals.
What is the advantage of left handed?
Recover language functions faster after an injury and are less susceptible to mental illness
Which are of the brain is for Perception of spoken language?
Primary auditory area
Which area of the brain is for comprehension of language?
Wernicke’s area
Which area of the brain is for production and initiation of speech?
Brocca’s area - connected to supplementary motor area
What connects Broca’s and Wernicke’s area?
Arcuate fisciculus
Which area of the brain is for perception of written language?
Visual cortex
Which area of Wernicke’s is the auditory version of a word stimulated?
Angular gyrus. Allows comprehension of auditory to then send the information to Brocca’s
How is aphasia tested for?
Test the function of fluency, paraphasia, comprehension, repetition, naming, reading, writing, prosody
What is prosody?
Communication of emotion and feelings
How does Broca’s aphasia present?
Expressive / Non-fluent:
Can UNDERSTAND language but not express it back as non-fluent speech. Can’t think of the words needed to express as loss of initiation and production of speech
How does Wernicke’s aphasia present?
Receptive / Fluent:
Speech is fluent but MEANINGLESS. Problem with understanding self and others as loss of comprehension.
How does written language differ in Broca’s aphasia to Wernicke’s aphasia?
Broca’s is disjointed and messy
Wernicke’s is neat but makes no sense
What is agraphia?
The loss of ability to write. If in absence of aphasia it is due to weakness or disorder of movement / visuospatail function
What is micrographia?
Small writing e.g. PD, corticospinal lesion
What is hypergraphia?
Extensive, compulsive writing e.g. schizophrenia, mental disorder, bilateral frontal injury
What is alexia?
The acquired inability to read. It is a sensory/visual aphasia.
What is used to treat aphasia?
Melodic intonation therapy as it doesn’t use the injured part of the brain
