Dysarthria in conversation

An analysis of information structure and thematic structure

Authors

  • Alana Rae Mantie-Kozlowski

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jircd.v1i2.237

Keywords:

dysarthria, systemic functional linguistics, conversation, thematic structure, information structure

Abstract

Abstract This study investigates how two interlocutors, one with acquired dysarthria, manipulated their language structure to facilitate the creation of texts. Two conventions of systemic functional linguistics are used: information structure and thematic structure. The lexicogrammatical choices and patterns in the text are described with special attention to how the partners collaborated, sometimes in a non-standard manner (Armstrong, 2005) to establish mutual understanding in the face of a considerably impaired speech signal. Natural emerging strategies to manage communication breakdowns are outlined. Some individuals with progressively debilitating diseases may not have the physical and/or cognitive resources to rehabilitate the subsystems of speech production. Investigations of everyday conversational practices involving individuals with speech disorders such as dysarthria can reveal additional options for promoting communicative success and participation.

Author Biography

  • Alana Rae Mantie-Kozlowski

    Dr. Mantie-Kozlowski is a certified speech language pathologist who specializes in working with medically fragile patient populations. She is employed as an assistant professor in the field of communication sciences and disorders.

References

Armstrong, E. (2005). Language disorder: A functional linguistic perspective. Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics, 19 (3): 137–153. doi:10.1080/02699200410001698599

Bellon-Harn, M., Hoffman, P. R. and Harn, W. E. (2004). Use of cloze and contrast word procedures in repeated storybook reading: targeting multiple domains. Journal of Communication Disorders, 37 (1): 53–75. doi:10.1016/j.jcomdis.2003.07.001

Bloch, S. and Beeke, S. (2008). Co?constructed talk in the conversations of people with dysarthria and aphasia. Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics 22 (12): 974–990. doi:10.1080/02699200802394831

Bloch, S. and Wilkinson, R. (2004). The understandability of AAC: A conversation analysis study of acquired dysarthria. Augmentative and Alternative Communication 2004 20 (4): 272–282. doi:10.1080/07434610400005614

Bloch, S. and Wilkinson, R. (2009). Acquired dysarthria in conversation: Identifying sources of understandability problems. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders 44 (5): 769–783. doi:10.1080/13682820802546969

Comrie, P., MacKenzie, C. and McCall, J. (2001). The influence of acquired dysarthria on conversational turn-taking. Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics, 15 (5): 383–398. doi:10.1080/02699200110036380

Damico, J. S., Simmons-Mackie, N. and Wilson, B. (2006). The negotiation of intelligibility in an aphasic dyad. Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics, 20 (7&8): 599–605. doi:10.1080/02699200500266653

Duffy, J. R. (2005). Motor Speech Disorders: Substrates, Differential Diagnosis, and Management. St Louis, MO: Mosby.

Eggins, S. (1994). An Introduction to Systemic Functional Linguistics. London: Pinter Publishers.

Guo, Y. E. and Togher, L. (2008). The impact of dysarthria on everyday communication after traumatic brain injury: A pilot study. Brain Injury 22 (1): 83–98. doi:10.1080/02699050701824150

Halliday, M. A. K. (1976). English system networks. In Gunther Kress (ed.) Halliday: System and Function in Language Chapter 7, 101–135. London: Oxford University Press.

Halliday, M. A. K. and Hasan, R. (1976). Cohesion in English. London: Longman.

Halliday, M. A. K. and Matthiessen, C. M. I. M. (2004). An Introduction to Functional Grammar (3rd edn). London: Arnold.

Lethlean, J. B. and Murdoch, B. E. (1993). Language dysfunction in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: A case study. Journal of Medical Speech Language Pathology, 1: 27–34.

McCabe, P., Sheard, C. and Code, C. F. S. (2002). Acquired communication impairment in people with HIV. Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology, 10: 183–199.

Millikin, C. P., Trepanier, L. L. and Rourke, S. B. (2004). Verbal fluency component analysis in adults with HIV/AIDS. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 26 (7): 933–942. doi:10.1080/13803390490510842

Muller, N. and Wilson, B. (2008). Collaborative role construction in a conversation with dementia: An application of systemic functional linguistics. Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics, 22 (10–11): 767–774. doi:10.1080/02699200801948488

Muller, N. (ed.) (2006). Multilayered Transcription. San Diego, CA: Plural.

Rutter, B. (2008). Acoustic properties of repair sequences in dysarthric conversational speech: An interactional phonetic study. Dissertations Abstracts International, 69 (5): 2956.

Vallduvi, E. (1992). The Informational Component. New York: Garland.

WHO (2001). The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health — ICF. Geneva: Switzerland: Author.

Yorkston, K. and Beukelman, D. (1981). Assessment of Intelligibility in Dysarthric Speech. Tigard, OR: CC Publications.

Zuniga, J. (1999). Communication disorders and HIV disease. Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care, 19: 16–23.

Published

2011-01-25

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Mantie-Kozlowski, A. R. (2011). Dysarthria in conversation: An analysis of information structure and thematic structure. Journal of Interactional Research in Communication Disorders, 1(2), 237-252. https://doi.org/10.1558/jircd.v1i2.237

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >>