Proverbs and formulaic sequences in the language of elderly people with dementia

Abstract

Some types of formulaic (routine and familiar) language seem to remain fairly intact in people with language and memory disturbances, making it a useful tool for both testing language skills and supporting language retention and use. Proverbs can reasonably be considered a subset of formulaic language, and while it is known that the ability to understand proverbs is compromised in dementia, completing them ought to be relatively easy, if proverbs are stored holistically like other kinds of formulaic language. However, this study reports how three people with dementia often struggled to complete proverbs in a game used in a day-care centre to stimulate the memory and language skills. By examining their responses and relating them to the causes of formulaic language patterns, it is argued that these games are not as appropriate a tool for stimulating memory and language skills as might be first thought. Although they do provide a much-needed opportunity for sustained patient-carer interaction that transcends the basic delivery of physical care needs, the games contravene some of the guidelines offered by Orange (2001) regarding the best way to support people with Alzheimer’s Disease in constructive interaction.

Facilitation of positive social interaction through visual art in dementia: a case study using video-analysis

“…Saunders (1998) used discourse analysis to explore interactions during neuropsychological assessments (N = 17). Lindholm (2008) and Lindholm and Wray (2011) reported the use of CA in Finland, with recordings of three professional carers and two patients (Lindholm 2008; Lindholm and Wray 2011). In addition, using video-analysis, Hansebo and Kihlgren (2002) looked at recordings of four staff interacting with nine patients in a Swedish nursing home concerning the use of a structured assessment measure.…”

Cortical & Subcortical Dementias: A Psychoneurolinguistic Perspective

“…These disorders, however, include word recognition difficulties (two-way anomia) (Kazui & Takeda, 2011) and Proverbs (Lindholm & Wray., 2011). Armed with evidence from imaging techniques' results and symptoms that one can clearly observe in dementia patients, Psychoneurolinguists realized that there is a need to read more about dementia.…”

Formulaic Language: The Building Block of Aphasic Speech

“…There are similarities while exploring global aphasia because it also deals with both writen and spoken language apropos of speech deiciencies. The inclusion of repetitive and insensible structures, limited formulaic uterances and neologism is an independent characteristic in the exploration of aphasic speech [2]. Amidst their indistinguishable nature, it is important to survey the disparities between global aphasia and Broca's aphasia.…”

“…Formulaic uterances on average can make up one-third to one-half of discourse production. As they represent an important part of everyday communication, it is necessary for the speech-language pathologist to focus on the scope of formulaic language in human communication [1,2]. Portrayed in the forms of idioms, proverbs, expletives, collocations and so on, formulaic language is part and parcel of everyday speech [3].…”