Alzheimer Discourse

Some Sociolinguistic Dimensions

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Communication
Cover of the book Alzheimer Discourse by Vai Ramanathan, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Vai Ramanathan ISBN: 9781136685729
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: November 5, 2013
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Vai Ramanathan
ISBN: 9781136685729
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: November 5, 2013
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This book deals with the narrative discourse--specifically lifestories--of 16 patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD). It attempts to understand the discourse of these patients in contextual terms. Thus far, the dominant explanation for "incoherence" in AD speech has been largely provided by research in psycholinguistics, much of which has understood AD speech in terms of the progressively deteriorating nature of the disease. This study provides a complementary view by examining ways in which some social factors--audiences, setting, and time--influence the extensiveness and meaningfulness of AD talk.

By offering both an examination of interactions across the data as well as analyzing particular cases in detail, this unusual study attempts to juxtapose some general insights regarding AD discourse with case-specific ones. Sociolinguistic analyses of the data demonstrate how certain audiences and particular settings set in motion discourse activities that either facilitate the patients' ability to recall their pasts or impede it. This analysis also includes a critical look at the researcher's contribution in negotiating and reinforcing these activities. Ethnographic details about the social worlds of some of these patients shed light on how larger social contexts at least indirectly contribute to exacerbating the patients' conditions or stabilizing them. The analyses of both context and language provides a more global understanding of the Alzheimer experience. This study also discusses some interactional strategies by which professionals can begin to engage AD patients in meaningful talk as well as ways by which they can better "hear" AD patients' cues at narrating. Throughout, this book underscores the need to factor in social factors when making assessments regarding AD patients' communicative abilities.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book deals with the narrative discourse--specifically lifestories--of 16 patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD). It attempts to understand the discourse of these patients in contextual terms. Thus far, the dominant explanation for "incoherence" in AD speech has been largely provided by research in psycholinguistics, much of which has understood AD speech in terms of the progressively deteriorating nature of the disease. This study provides a complementary view by examining ways in which some social factors--audiences, setting, and time--influence the extensiveness and meaningfulness of AD talk.

By offering both an examination of interactions across the data as well as analyzing particular cases in detail, this unusual study attempts to juxtapose some general insights regarding AD discourse with case-specific ones. Sociolinguistic analyses of the data demonstrate how certain audiences and particular settings set in motion discourse activities that either facilitate the patients' ability to recall their pasts or impede it. This analysis also includes a critical look at the researcher's contribution in negotiating and reinforcing these activities. Ethnographic details about the social worlds of some of these patients shed light on how larger social contexts at least indirectly contribute to exacerbating the patients' conditions or stabilizing them. The analyses of both context and language provides a more global understanding of the Alzheimer experience. This study also discusses some interactional strategies by which professionals can begin to engage AD patients in meaningful talk as well as ways by which they can better "hear" AD patients' cues at narrating. Throughout, this book underscores the need to factor in social factors when making assessments regarding AD patients' communicative abilities.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Ontology by Vai Ramanathan
Cover of the book Intuitive Imagery by Vai Ramanathan
Cover of the book The Federalization of Spain by Vai Ramanathan
Cover of the book China's Opening Society by Vai Ramanathan
Cover of the book From the Wings by Vai Ramanathan
Cover of the book Spelling: Caught or Taught? by Vai Ramanathan
Cover of the book The Placemaker's Guide to Building Community by Vai Ramanathan
Cover of the book Rudolf Laban by Vai Ramanathan
Cover of the book Latin American Business by Vai Ramanathan
Cover of the book Latin Verse Satire by Vai Ramanathan
Cover of the book Experience and Representation by Vai Ramanathan
Cover of the book Psychoanalytic Perspectives on the Rorschach by Vai Ramanathan
Cover of the book Changing the Subject by Vai Ramanathan
Cover of the book The Poetics of Science Fiction by Vai Ramanathan
Cover of the book Democracy Promotion by Vai Ramanathan
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy