Disconnected phonology: A linguistic analysis of phonemic jargon aphasia

Robert E. Hanlon*, Jerold A. Edmondson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper reports on indications of the nature of the neurolinguistic connection between phonological and lexical components of language, based on a case of phonemic jargon aphasia. Following bihemispheric embolic infarcts, the subject presented with severe fluent aphasia, characterized by fluent strings of phonemes, with virtually no intelligible utterances. Despite nearly total jargonized output, the fundamental phonological processes of speech were largely intact. Specifically she demonstrated: (1) English phonotactics and English stress-timed rhythmic principles, (2) aspirated stops word-initially and glottalized stops word finally, (3) utterance final declination of pitch, and (4) stressed syllable vowel lengthening. Additionally, regional-specific (Southern American English) phonological processes, including monophthongization, in-gliding, and front vowel backing, were also preserved. Overall, the investigation reveals an example of an intact phonological rule system operating on a grossly disturbed input (lexical representation).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)199-212
Number of pages14
JournalBrain and Language
Volume55
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1996

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Language and Linguistics
  • Linguistics and Language
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Speech and Hearing

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