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Measuring discourse coherence in anomic aphasia using Rhetorical Structure Theory
Anthony Pak-Hin Kong1, Anastasia Linnik2,3,4,5,6, Sam-Po Law7
1a Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders , University of Central Florida , Orlando , FL , USA.
International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
|March 18, 2017
Summary
Discourse coherence is impaired in individuals with anomic aphasia. Speakers with aphasia produced less coherent discourse, with reduced information content and more structural disruptions compared to non-brain-damaged (NBD) speakers.
Area of Science:
- Neurolinguistics
- Psycholinguistics
Background:
- Discourse coherence in aphasia research yields mixed results.
- Brain injury's impact on discourse coherence remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate discourse coherence in non-brain-damaged (NBD) speakers and those with anomic aphasia.
- Quantitatively and qualitatively analyze discourse coherence.
Main Methods:
- 15 Cantonese-speaking individuals with anomic aphasia and 15 NBD participants produced language samples.
- Rhetorical Structure Theory (RST) analyzed discourse structure and parameters.
- Naïve listeners rated the coherence of each sample.
Main Results:
- Discourse from individuals with aphasia was rated significantly less coherent.
- NBD speakers exhibited greater fluency and richer semantic relations.
- Aphasia speakers omitted essential information and showed more structural disruptions.
Conclusions:
- Reduced essential information content contributes to lower discourse coherence in anomic aphasia.
- Lower elaboration and increased structural disruptions also impact coherence.
- Anomic aphasia leads to significantly impaired discourse coherence.
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