Introductory Linguistics for Speech and Language Therapy Practice

Synopsis

This practical introduction to linguistics is a must-have resource for all speech and language therapy students, providing you with the fundamental theory needed as a foundation for practice.

Written by authors with extensive experience in both research and teaching, Introductory Linguistics for Speech and Language Practice equips you with a practical understanding of relevant linguistic concepts in the key language areas of morphology, syntax, semantics, discourse and pragmatics. Each chapter opens by explaining why the information is of relevance to the speech language therapist, and this integrated approach is emphasised via reference to relevant clinical resources. Exercises throughout each chapter also allow you to test your understanding of key principles and apply this knowledge to other areas of your study.

This concise, readable guide is a core text for all undergraduate and postgraduate students of speech and language therapy, and is also ideal for qualified therapists wanting to enrich their understanding of the linguistic assessments they use in practice.

Summary

Chapter 1: Introduction to Linguistics

* Defines linguistics and its role in speech and language therapy.
* Examines the different aspects of language, including phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.

_Example:_ The therapist uses linguistic analysis to identify a client's difficulty in producing the /s/ sound.

Chapter 2: Phonology

* Explores the study of speech sounds, including their production and distribution.
* Covers topics such as phonetics, phonemes, and phonological processes.

_Example:_ The therapist assesses a client's phonological awareness by having them identify rhyming words.

Chapter 3: Morphology

* Examines the structure and meaning of words.
* Covers topics such as morphemes, inflection, and derivation.

_Example:_ The therapist helps a client understand the meaning of the verb "jumped" by breaking it down into its base form ("jump") and past tense inflection ("-ed").

Chapter 4: Syntax

* Studies the rules governing the ordering of words and phrases in sentences.
* Covers topics such as phrase structure, sentence types, and transformations.

_Example:_ The therapist teaches a client to use proper verb tenses by identifying the subject and verb in a sentence.

Chapter 5: Semantics

* Examines the meaning of words, phrases, and sentences.
* Covers topics such as denotation, connotation, and discourse analysis.

_Example:_ The therapist helps a client understand the difference between "mean" and "average" by discussing their denotative and connotative meanings.

Chapter 6: Pragmatics

* Explores the social and cultural aspects of language use.
* Covers topics such as conversation analysis, turn-taking, and politeness strategies.

_Example:_ The therapist teaches a client how to start and maintain a conversation by using appropriate greetings and turn-taking cues.

Chapter 7: Language Disorders

* Discusses various types of language disorders, including phonological disorders, morphological disorders, syntactic disorders, semantic disorders, and pragmatic disorders.
* Examines the causes and symptoms of these disorders.

_Example:_ The therapist diagnoses a client with a phonological disorder based on their difficulty producing certain speech sounds.

Chapter 8: Language Therapy

* Explores the principles and techniques of language therapy.
* Covers topics such as assessment, intervention, and collaboration with other professionals.

_Example:_ The therapist develops an individual therapy plan for a client with a language disorder based on their assessment findings.

Chapter 9: Linguistics in Practice

* Discusses the application of linguistics in various areas of speech and language therapy practice.
* Covers topics such as literacy, bilingualism, and augmentative and alternative communication.

_Example:_ The therapist uses linguistic principles to develop language-based reading comprehension strategies for a client with reading difficulties.