Abstract
Background: Narrative discourse offers a rich source of information about linguistic abilities, capturing micro-linguistic (word and sentence level) and macro-linguistic (story structure) features. While prior studies often focus on isolated aspects, this study adopts a comprehensive approach to analyze multiple narrative variables simultaneously. Aims: To examine 27 linguistic measures at the word, sentence, and narrative levels in order to determine which variables differentiate people with aphasia (PWA) from neurotypical (NT) speakers and to explore potential trade-offs or compensatory patterns in narrative production. Methods & Procedures: Narratives were elicited from 10 participants with nonfluent aphasia, assessed via the Western Aphasia Battery or the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination, and 46 neurotypical controls. Participants narrated a recent vacation. Narratives were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed across 27 measures related to lexical, syntactic, and discourse dimensions, as well as output quantity, efficiency, fluency, and coherence. Outcomes & Results: Fourteen of the 27 variables did not differentiate the groups; however, 13 variables showed significant differences. At the word level, PWA used a higher proportion of nouns and demonstrated greater lexical diversity. At the sentence level, they produced fewer grammatical and complex sentences. At the narrative level, PWA included fewer evaluative clauses. They also produced fewer sentences, communication units, and words per sentence. Efficiency and fluency measures indicated a lower proportion of correct verbal units and increased false starts and fillers. Coherence analysis revealed that PWA produced fewer meaningful sentences. Trade-off strategies were observed, such as a preference for simpler yet accurate sentences or more complex sentences with increased errors. Conclusions: This comprehensive analysis highlights the need to examine multiple narrative dimensions in tandem to better understand the linguistic capabilities of individuals with aphasia. The identification of compensatory strategies provides insight into individual differences in narrative production and can inform assessment and intervention practices..
Original language | English |
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Journal | Aphasiology |
DOIs | |
State | Accepted/In press - 2025 |
Keywords
- Integrated narrative analysis
- aphasia
- fluency
- grammaticality
- sentence complexity
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Language and Linguistics
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Linguistics and Language
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology
- LPN and LVN