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Analysis of tongue positions: language-specific and cross-linguistic models.

A factor-analytic model, PARAFAC, has been shown to yield highly significant and interpretable results when applied to the analysis of tongue shapes in particular languages. However, the forms of the solutions differ from language to language. A conceptual model that provides an account for cross-language variability in terms of coordinative structures that may vary in a language-specific manner is developed. This model rationalizes both the success of the PARAFAC procedure within languages and the poor cross-language replicability of PARAFAC solutions. We consider methods for quantitatively comparing the results of PARAFAC analyses of data from different languages using data from Icelandic and English as a test case. A cross-language factor solution that accounts for 90% of the variance in tongue position measurements is presented and interpreted in terms of the conceptual model.

Humans↗

The Cardiff Acne Disability Index: cultural and linguistic validation in French.

BACKGROUND: The Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) evaluates the impact of acne on the patient's life. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to translate the CADI into French and to validate the French version. METHOD: The CADI was translated into French following international methodological recommendations (translation, quality control, back-translation and pilot test). RESULTS: Compatibility difficulties between the cultural background of UK and France were identified and resolved by the translation process, which should guarantee that specific words and phrases reflect the cultures in the respective countries. A pilot test in volunteers demonstrated the clarity and understandability of the questions across social classes and ages. A preliminary test-retest comparison of the final scale showed sufficient reliability, with a correlation coefficient of 0.90 for the total CADI score of the French version. Moreover, the good internal consistency of the scale was demonstrated with a Cronbach alpha of 0.87. CONCLUSION: The CADI, a valuable tool for assessing the impact of acne on a patient's life, can now be used in French.

Acne Vulgaris↗

Global aphasia-with and without hemiparesis. A linguistic and CT scan study.

The location and size of brain lesions were compared between two groups of patients showing persisting global aphasia according to the criteria of the Aachen Aphasia test (AAT). The first group comprised 8 patients suffering from severe hemiparesis for more than 18 months. The 10 patients of the second group showed either no hemiparesis at all, or motor disturbance at the onset of the disorder with complete remission within 1 year. The sizes of the brain lesions were determined by means of CT scans. The location of the lesions was defined by a statistical model of the brain with labelled anatomical structure, which allowed an interindividual comparison. In the CT scans, the infarcted areas of the brains of patients with hemiparesis always extended to the wall of the lateral ventricle, thus including the whole corona radiata with the pyramidal tract. The infarcted areas of the patients without hemiparesis and with transient hemiparesis spared parts of the deep white matter. The data obtained via CT scans are of prognostic value for patients with transient hemiparesis, since determination of the extent of the lesion by means of CT permits an initial estimate on the possible later degree and quality of the motor recovery.

Aphasia↗

Relationship between semivowels and vowels: cross-linguistic investigations of acoustic difference and coarticulation.

Formant frequencies of the semivowels /j/ and /w/ in Amharic, Yoruba and Zuni were measured in three vowel environments. Cross-language differences were found between what are described as the same semivowels, i.e. different languages have different acoustic targets for /j/ and /w/. These cross-language differences in semivowels correlate with cross-language differences in the respective cognate vowels /i/ and /u/. Nonetheless, the semivowels differ in systematic ways from the vowels in directions that make them more 'consonantal'. These languages also differ in their patterns of coarticulation between semivowels and adjacent vowels. This shows, inter alia, that palatal segments differ from language to language in their degree of resistance to coarticulation. Because of these language-specific coarticulatory patterns, cross-language differences in acoustic targets can only be established after careful consideration of the effect of context.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗

Linguistic and developmental effects on the production and perception of stop consonants.

This study examined production and perception of the contrast between /t/-/d/ by subjects differing in native language and age. Acoustic analysis revealed that native speakers of English realized word-initial /t/ with significantly longer VOT values (approximately 85 ms) than native speakers of Spanish (approximately 19 ms). Native English and Spanish adults realized /t/ with VOT values that were non-significantly longer than those of 9-year-olds of the same native language background. Native English adults prevoiced /d/ more often than English children, but Spanish adults and children realized /d/ with lead VOT values in nearly every instance. In a labelling task, the native English speakers showed steeper identification functions, and category boundaries at significantly longer VOT values, than age-matched native Spanish subjects. The boundaries of both the native English and Spanish adults occurred at significantly longer VOT values than those of children who spoke the same language. Three possible explanations are offered for the effect of age on stop voicing judgments: the auditory processing of acoustic parameters associated with stops changes with age; listeners require an increasingly long VOT interval to perceive /t/ as they get older because they produce /t/ with somewhat longer VOT values; listeners 'attune' their perception to optimally match the stops they hear.

Adult↗

Effects of semantic treatment on verbal communication and linguistic processing in aphasia after stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Semantic deficits, deficits in word meaning, have a large impact on aphasic patients' verbal communication. We investigated the effects of semantic treatment on verbal communication in a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with a combined semantic and phonological deficit were randomized to receive either semantic treatment or the control treatment focused on word sound (phonology). Fifty-five patients completed pretreatment and posttreatment assessment of verbal communication (Amsterdam Nijmegen Everyday Language Test [ANELT]). In an on-treatment analysis (n=46), treatment-specific effects on semantic and phonological measures were explored. RESULTS: Both groups improved on the ANELT, with no difference between groups in overall score (difference, -1.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], -5.3 to 3.1). After semantic treatment, patients improved on a semantic measure (mean improvement, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2 to 4.6), whereas after phonological treatment, patients improved on phonological measures (mean improvement, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.4 to 4.7, and 3.0; 95% CI, 1.2 to 4.7). CONCLUSIONS: No differences in primary outcome were noted between the 2 treatments. Our findings challenge the current notion that semantic treatment is more effective than phonological treatment for patients with a combined semantic and phonological deficit. The selective gains on the semantic and phonological measures suggest that improved verbal communication was achieved in a different way for each treatment group.

Adult↗

Linguistic dimensions of affect and thought in somatization disorder.

DSM-III has established diagnostic criteria that separate somatization disorder from other overlapping symptom configurations. Nevertheless, information regarding the experience of somatization disorder is far from complete. Terms such as "masked depression" or "alexithymia" imply that a disturbance of affect is a central but guarded issue for at least some somatizing patients. Through content analysis of speech, the authors investigated the self-experience of somatization disorder in relation to affective disorder. Rather than defended depression, a distinctive characteristic found in the language of patients with somatization disorder reflects a confused, negative self-identity.

Adult↗

Cultural and linguistic barriers to mental health service access: the deaf consumer's perspective.

OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about mental illness and providers held by a group of deaf adults. METHOD: The American Sign Language interviews of 54 deaf adults were analyzed. RESULTS: Recurrent themes included mistrust of providers, communication difficulty as a primary cause of mental health problems, profound concern with communication in therapy, and widespread ignorance about how to obtain services. CONCLUSIONS: Deaf consumers' views need due consideration in service delivery planning. Outreach regarding existing programs is essential.

Adult↗

Decision making in determining eligibility of culturally and linguistically diverse learners: Reasons given by assessment personnel.

Assessment personnel from the southern borderlands area of Texas participated in analyzing one of four different hypothetical cases. Respondents were expected to defer making eligibility decisions due to language proficiency, environment, culture, or lack of data. When data were lacking, the investigators proposed that respondents would recognize the need for additional information and defer making a decision. Differences in eligibility decisions were found when the respondents analyzed cases in which a significant discrepancy existed and in cases in which language proficiency information was provided. Experience in assessment was significant in the determination that additional information was needed to reach a decision, F(2, 87) = 3.99, p < .05. A majority of the respondents (83%) made an eligibility decision using insufficient data.

Adult↗