Lecture 1
“Primary vehicle of human communication is language, and speech is the primary means of language expression for most individuals”
Difference between speech & Language
Language: socially shared code used to represent concepts which uses arbitrary symbols (words) combined in rule governed ways
o Semantics – what words mean
o Morphology – structure of words, how to make new words o Syntax – how to put words together
o Pragmatics – how language is used, communicate for a reason o Receptive language – comprehension or understanding o Expressive language – production and talking
Speech: process of producing acoustic representation of language – how language is communicated
o Articulation – way speech sounds are formed, how articulators are moved to produce sounds (phonemes) of language
o Fluency – “smooth forward flow of communication”
Produced with ease
Free from excessive/prolonged interruptions
Smooth, flowing, continuous, rhythmic, relatively rapid
Non-fluency = disrupted flow
Repetitions of single sounds, words & phrases
Prolongations, blocks, interjections -> increase use than normal o Voice – medium through speech is produced
Audible sound produced by vibration of vocal folds (within larynx)
Voice parameters:
Pitch – too low/high/monotone
Loudness – too loud/soft/mono-loudness
Quality – how clear voice sounds
Resonance – oral/nasal quality in voice e.g. nasality
Age of onset
Congenital – present at birth e.g. Down’s Syndrome
Developmental – emerges during first few years e.g. language delay
Acquired – occurring after birth, developing typically then event leads to difficulties
Aetiology
Organic/secondary – originating from clear anatomical, physiological or neurological cause o Damage to structural components
o Most common in adults – easier to find cause
o E.g. hearing loss, muscular weakness/ cleft palate, etc.
Functional/primary – no discernible cause e.g. specific language impairment o Processing chain
o Most common in children
Conceptualization of Impacts
World Health Organization framework for international Classification of functioning disability in Health (ICF)
Impacts:
Control and autonomy:
o Difficulties expressing needs, preferences, individuality o Difficulties being involved in decision making
Academic:
o May require assistance o Associated difficulties
o Complete fewer years of formal education/take longer o Different expectations
Social – family, friends & acquaintances
o Loss & changes to social networks e.g. no longer working o Difficulties interacting
o Reaction from others e.g. teasing, rejection
Emotional & behavioural:
o Feelings of anger, grief, frustration, embarrassment -> can lead to depression o Loss of confidence/self-esteem
Occupation:
o Changes to employment, financial, and roles (duties might change)
