The present paper examines this question whether gesture and speech can be treated as going hand-in-hand and, following that, break down together in case of speech impairment following aphasia or if gestures can even have a compensating function when language is no longer usable for an aphasic person. In the first case, one may assume that gesture and speech are “different sides of a single underlying mental process” (cf. McNeill 1992:1); in the second case, gesture and speech are rather independent.
To accomplish this goal, the second chapter takes a closer look at the relationship between gesture and speech and the functions that have been supposed in the case of gesture.
Thirdly, gesture production under pathologic circumstances is assessed by focusing at the topic of gesture production and aphasia. The possibility of a parallel or comparable impair-ment of speech and gesture in aphasia is reviewed, as well as gesture as compensating for speech in persons affected by aphasia (Chapter 3).
The fourth chapter introduces a case study by Lisette Mol, Emiel Krahmer & Mieke van de Sandt-Koenderman (cf. 2012) to further investigate the research question.
The subsequent paragraphs, then, discuss the study by Mol et al. (cf. 2012) in the light of other findings (i.a. Cocks, Middleton & Morgan 2011, McNeill & Duncan 2010; Kita & Özyürek 2003; Glosser, Wiener & Kaplan 1986; Orgassa 2005) regarding the topic (Chapter 4.)
The last chapter draws a conclusion on the question whether speech and language break down in a similar manner and can be regarded as closely related or if gesture can function to compensate for speech in the case of aphasia.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Gesture and speech production
3. Gesture and speech production in aphasia
3.1. Gestures to compensate for speech
3.2. Similar impairment of gesture and speech
4. Case Study
5. Discussion
6. Conclusion
7. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper explores the relationship between speech and gesture in individuals with aphasia to determine whether gesture functions as a compensatory mechanism for speech impairment or whether both modalities are similarly affected, indicating a common underlying mental process.
- Theoretical models of speech and gesture production.
- The impact of aphasia on communicative gesture.
- Evaluation of the "compensation" vs. "parallel impairment" hypotheses.
- Analysis of gesture informativeness and technique in aphasic vs. non-aphasic speakers.
- Case study examination of gesture types (iconic, deictic, handling, object) in clinical settings.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Gesture and speech production in aphasia
Regarding the question whether speech and gesture compensate for one another, researchers looked at what happens with gesture in case of aphasia. Generally, it has been shown that aphasic persons are able to use gestures more or less effectively (cf. Goodwin 2000; Orgassa 2005; Rose 2006; Cocks et al. 2011). Two main standpoints have developed. Some authors (cf. Mol et al. 2012; Orgassa 2005; McNeill 1985; Cicone et al. 1979) assume that gesture and speech are similarly impaired in aphasia, whereas others (cf. Feyereisen 1983; Ahlsen 1991; Hermann, Reichle, Lucius-Hoene, Wallesch & Johannsen-Horbach 1988) believe that aphasics use gesture to compensate for their loss of speech.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Introduces the role of nonverbal elements in communication and defines the research question regarding the link between gesture and speech in the context of aphasia.
2. Gesture and speech production: Discusses established theories on the synchronization and semantic integration of speech and gesture, including the "Growth Point Hypothesis".
3. Gesture and speech production in aphasia: Reviews existing literature on whether gestures in aphasia serve a compensatory function or reflect a parallel decline of communicative systems.
3.1. Gestures to compensate for speech: Examines evidence suggesting that non-verbal communication acts as a separate, functional system to support language-impaired individuals.
3.2. Similar impairment of gesture and speech: Presents findings indicating that gesture production often breaks down in a manner mirroring linguistic deficiencies in aphasic patients.
4. Case Study: Details a study by Mol et al. (2012) comparing gesture informativeness and types among aphasic speakers, verbal controls, and nonverbal controls.
5. Discussion: Synthesizes findings to argue that gesture and speech are likely tightly coupled and that aphasic patients do not effectively compensate for speech with gesture.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes the core finding that speech and gesture share a common underlying mental process and decline in parallel in aphasia.
7. Bibliography: Lists the academic sources used throughout the paper.
Keywords
Aphasia, Speech Production, Gesture, Communication, Compensation Hypothesis, Growth Point Hypothesis, Iconic Gestures, Deictic Gestures, Clinical Linguistics, Brain Damage, Language Disorder, Communicative Informativeness, Gesture Impairment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research investigates whether gesture acts as a compensatory mechanism for individuals with aphasia or if gesture and speech are so closely linked that they fail simultaneously.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The work covers theoretical frameworks of gesture, clinical studies on aphasic communication, the analysis of different gesture types, and the evaluation of gesture informativeness.
What is the central research question?
The paper asks whether gesture can compensate for a lack of speech in aphasia, or if gesture and speech are two sides of a single underlying mental process.
Which scientific methodology is primarily employed?
The research relies on a comprehensive literature review and the critical evaluation of a specific case study (Mol et al., 2012) involving both aphasic participants and control groups.
What topics are discussed in the main part of the paper?
The main part details the theoretical background of speech-gesture coupling, reviews conflicting research on gesture in aphasia, and provides a detailed analysis of gesture techniques in different clinical scenarios.
How would you characterize this paper with keywords?
Key terms include Aphasia, Speech Production, Gesture, Compensation Hypothesis, and Communicative Informativeness.
Did the study confirm that gestures compensate for speech in aphasia?
No, the findings suggest that gestures in aphasics are not significantly more informative and that gesture production often breaks down in parallel with speech, contradicting the compensation theory.
How does the "Growth Point Hypothesis" relate to the findings?
The hypothesis suggests that speech and gesture arise from a common source; the findings support this by showing that when the language system is damaged, this common source is affected, leading to a decline in both modalities.
- Citar trabajo
- Lea Wölk (Autor), 2016, Speech and Gesture in Aphasia, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/453234
