Assessment Of Selected Phonological Issues In The Speech Of Down's Syndrome Individuals
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Date
2006
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AAU
Abstract
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.
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Down's syndrome individuals cannot achieve this level