Language production in late life
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Susan Kemper
Abstract
As individuals age, their speech changes. Nonpathological changes to the brain’s structure and organization affect the function of the prefrontal cortex, the lateralization of functions, and neuromodulation of synaptic transmission. As a result, word-finding problems increase, speech becomes increasingly constrained by working memory limitations, and older adults become more susceptible to the effects of distractions and dual-task demands. At the same time, aging affects social relationships and interactions. Negative stereotypes of older adults are pervasive, resulting in both over- and under-accommodations to aging, the use of elderspeak, and the assumption that older adults are prone to be excessively talkative.
Abstract
As individuals age, their speech changes. Nonpathological changes to the brain’s structure and organization affect the function of the prefrontal cortex, the lateralization of functions, and neuromodulation of synaptic transmission. As a result, word-finding problems increase, speech becomes increasingly constrained by working memory limitations, and older adults become more susceptible to the effects of distractions and dual-task demands. At the same time, aging affects social relationships and interactions. Negative stereotypes of older adults are pervasive, resulting in both over- and under-accommodations to aging, the use of elderspeak, and the assumption that older adults are prone to be excessively talkative.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of abbreviations vii
- Investigating the lifespan perspective 1
- Disassociating the effects of age from phonetic change 9
- Phonological variation in real time 39
- Language production in late life 59
- Vocabulary and dementia in six novelists 77
- A sociolinguistic perspective on vocabulary richness in a seven-year comparison of older adults 109
- Age-related variation and language change in Early Modern English 129
- Lifespan and linguistic awareness 147
- Tired mind or tired hand? 167
- Kriegsausbruch, Kriegs Ausbruch, KriegsAusbruch 189
- Index 231
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of abbreviations vii
- Investigating the lifespan perspective 1
- Disassociating the effects of age from phonetic change 9
- Phonological variation in real time 39
- Language production in late life 59
- Vocabulary and dementia in six novelists 77
- A sociolinguistic perspective on vocabulary richness in a seven-year comparison of older adults 109
- Age-related variation and language change in Early Modern English 129
- Lifespan and linguistic awareness 147
- Tired mind or tired hand? 167
- Kriegsausbruch, Kriegs Ausbruch, KriegsAusbruch 189
- Index 231
