Speech and Nonspeech: What Are We Talking About?

Overview

Journal Int J Speech Lang Pathol

Specialty Otorhinolaryngology

Date 2016 Oct 6

PMID 27701907

Citations 11

Authors

Edwin Maas

Affiliations

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Abstract

Understanding of the behavioural, cognitive and neural underpinnings of speech production is of interest theoretically, and is important for understanding disorders of speech production and how to assess and treat such disorders in the clinic. This paper addresses two claims about the neuromotor control of speech production: (1) speech is subserved by a distinct, specialised motor control system and (2) speech is holistic and cannot be decomposed into smaller primitives. Both claims have gained traction in recent literature, and are central to a task-dependent model of speech motor control. The purpose of this paper is to stimulate thinking about speech production, its disorders and the clinical implications of these claims. The paper poses several conceptual and empirical challenges for these claims - including the critical importance of defining speech. The emerging conclusion is that a task-dependent model is called into question as its two central claims are founded on ill-defined and inconsistently applied concepts. The paper concludes with discussion of methodological and clinical implications, including the potential utility of diadochokinetic (DDK) tasks in assessment of motor speech disorders and the contraindication of nonspeech oral motor exercises to improve speech function.

Citing Articles

Individual Differences in Accent Imitation.

Myers E, Olson H, Scapetis-Tycer J Open Mind (Camb). 2024; 8:1084-1106.

PMID: 39229608 PMC: 11370968. DOI: 10.1162/opmi_a_00161.

Shared and Separate Neuromuscular Underpinnings of Swallowing and Motor Speech Development in the School-Age Years.

Hahn Arkenberg R, Brown B, Mitchell S, Craig B, Goffman L, Malandraki G J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2023; 66(9):3260-3275.

PMID: 37549377 PMC: 10558144. DOI: 10.1044/2023_JSLHR-23-00059.

Oromotor Nonverbal Performance and Speech Motor Control: Theory and Review of Empirical Evidence.

Weismer G Brain Sci. 2023; 13(5).

PMID: 37239240 PMC: 10216469. DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050768.

Inhibitory Synaptic Influences on Developmental Motor Disorders.

Fogarty M Int J Mol Sci. 2023; 24(8).

PMID: 37108127 PMC: 10138861. DOI: 10.3390/ijms24086962.

Speech and Nonspeech Parameters in the Clinical Assessment of Dysarthria: A Dimensional Analysis.

Ziegler W, Scholderle T, Brendel B, Risch V, Felber S, Ott K Brain Sci. 2023; 13(1).

PMID: 36672094 PMC: 9856358. DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13010113.

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