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Broca's biases in modern aphasiology
Silvia Martínez-Ferreiro1, Monica I Norvik2,3
1Gerontology and Geriatrics Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), SERGAS, Universidade da Coruña, A Coruña, Spain.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|May 14, 2026
Summary
Aphasiology has historically focused on monolingual patients. This study examines how current theories and clinical tools accommodate the world's linguistic diversity and the needs of multilingual individuals with aphasia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Linguistics
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Paul Broca's early work on aphemia established aphasiology, focusing on left-inferior frontal gyrus lesions in monolingual patients.
- Modern aphasiology recognizes that language processing involves both hemispheres, and aphasia can result from various lesion locations.
- Current theories and clinical practices often center on idealized monolingual speakers, potentially overlooking linguistic diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the capacity of current linguistic theories to encompass the typological diversity of the world's languages.
- To assess the adequacy of clinical resources for assessing and treating multilingual individuals with aphasia.
- To bridge the gap between traditional aphasiology and the realities of global linguistic variation.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical aphasiology studies and foundational theories.
- Analysis of crosslinguistic data and its impact on modern aphasiology.
- Examination of research on multilingual aphasia, including assessment and treatment strategies.
Main Results:
- Traditional aphasiology models, rooted in monolingualism, may not fully capture the complexities of language in a multilingual world.
- Existing clinical resources may be insufficient for the comprehensive assessment and treatment of multilingual aphasia.
- Crosslinguistic perspectives are crucial for advancing aphasiology and developing more inclusive clinical practices.
Conclusions:
- Aphasiology must evolve beyond its monolingual bias to effectively address the needs of a diverse global population.
- Further research is needed to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate assessment and treatment tools for multilingual individuals with aphasia.
- Integrating crosslinguistic insights is essential for the future of aphasiology and patient care.
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