Work

Crosslinguistic Application of English-Centric Rhythm Descriptors in Motor Speech Disorders

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Rhythmic disturbances are a hallmark of motor speech disorders, in which the motor control deficits interfere with the outward flow of speech and by extension speech understanding. As the functions of rhythm are language-specific, breakdowns in rhythm should have language-specific consequences for communication. OBJECTIVE: The goals of this paper are to (i) provide a review of the cognitive-linguistic role of rhythm in speech perception in a general sense and crosslinguistically; (ii) present new results of lexical segmentation challenges posed by different types of dysarthria in American English, and (iii) offer a framework for crosslinguistic considerations for speech rhythm disturbances in the diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders associated with motor speech disorders. SUMMARY: This review presents theoretical and empirical reasons for considering speech rhythm as a critical component of communication deficits in motor speech disorders, and addresses the need for crosslinguistic research to explore language-universal versus language-specific aspects of motor speech disorders.

Source: Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica

DOI: 10.1159/000350030

Authors: Julie M. Liss, Rene Utianski, Kaitlin Lansford

Institution: Arizona State University

Language: English

Topic: Phonetics and Phonology Research

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Arizona State University, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders