AAU-ETD :: Browsing by Author "Kebede, Amanuel"

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Assessment Of Selected Phonological Issues In The Speech Of Down's Syndrome Individuals
(AAU, 2006) Kebede, Amanuel; Yigezu, Moges (Phd)
Regardless of the language, a ll children can acquire essentia l components of their respective language by about the age of three or four. However, not a ll children can do this. Particularly, among the menta lly challenged people, Down's syndrome individuals cannot achieve this level. This is, however, d ue to some physiological, n eurological as well as psychosocial problems. Amharic mother-tongue Down's syndrome individuals, similar to many other Down's syndrome individuals speaking other la n guages, are known for their language problems. Although there are important individual differences, it seems possible to specify some language defects holding true for these specific types of people. These kinds of individuals are highly identified with poor a rticulation as well as stuttering. It is obvious that good production of speech depends upon the speech organs being the appropria te size and working effectively. Nevertheless, in addition to some problems in n erve coordination, Amha ric s peaking Down's syndrome individuals do not seem to have 'normal' ora l cavity that would result in normal speech. Hence, due to some physiological anomalies in the oral cavity, they commit a number of phonological errors. Pa rticularly, they have great difficulties in articulating some palatal and ej ective sounds.