Informative content of narrative discourse in right-brain-damaged right-handers

Discourse production after right brain damage: Gaining a comprehensive picture using a multi-level processing model

“…Participants with RBD are generally considered to have little or no impairment of syntactic skills. The relatively few studies examining complex syntax in these speakers have been inconclusive; they displayed less syntactically complex picture story narratives (Joanette, Goulet, Ska, & Nespoulous, 1986) but more complex narrative and procedural discourse (Osiejuk, 1989). However, no differences in clausal embedding between normal and participants with RBDs were found in narratives, procedures and conversations (Brady et al, 2006;Marini et al, 2005;Sherratt & Penn, 1990).…”

The Use of Contextual Information by Right Brain-Damaged Individuals in the Resolution of Ambiguous Pronouns

“…The key finding among ail the studies which specifically assessed the verbal expression of these patients is that while the number of words used by RBD individuals is not significantly different than that used by normals, the content of the narrative is considerably impoverished (Bloom et al, 1992;Diggs & Basili, 1987;Joanette, Goulet, Ska, & Nespoulous, 1986). Specifically, the number of propositions produced by RBD individuals is considerably fewer than that produced by normals resulting in what has been described as "empty speech" (Diggs & Basili, 1987).…”

Neuropragmatics: Neuropsychological Constraints on Formal Theories of Dialogue

“…Primary linguistic processes are usually preserved (although with possible exceptions, such as specific anomia: Semenza & Zettin, 1988, 1989. Communicative skills, however, are often impaired (e.g., Joanette, Goulet, Ska, & Nespoulous, 1986;McDonald, 1992;McDonald & van Sommers, 1993;Sherratt & Penn, 1990). These individuals' discourse is often confused and disorganized, with frequent intrusion of inappropriate associations, stereotypical perseverations, insinuations, or indirect contextual references.…”