Literacy-Based Normative Data for Elderly Adults on Linguistic Profile Test in Kannada and Malayalam

Literacy is an important variable that can influence the performance of persons with aphasia on language tasks. This study aimed to generate the literacy-based normative data in two Indian languages (Kannada and Malayalam) for a linguistic tool originally designed for adults with acquired language impairment following brain damage-the Linguistic Profile Test (LPT).

The Kannada and Malayalam versions of LPT were administered on 134 and 127 normal speakers of these languages, respectively. The participants were divided into three literacy groups (nonliterates, semiliterates, and literates). The scores on each section of the test as well as the overall scores were determined, as per the instructions provided in the test material.

The influence of literacy was apparent in semantic and syntax sections of the LPT. Participants from nonliterate group performed notably poorly on these two tasks compared to other two groups. Literacy, however, did not show an effect on the "phonology" section of LPT.

The literacy-based norms of LPT developed here could improve the sensitivity of clinical evaluation by reducing the "false positives," especially while evaluating the language skills of nonliterate persons with brain damage.