Definition:
Aphasia is a neurological condition characterized by the impairment of language abilities, including difficulties with speaking, understanding spoken words, reading, and writing. It results from damage to the areas of the brain responsible for language, most commonly due to stroke, but can also arise from head injury, brain tumor, or infections. Aphasia affects a person’s ability to communicate effectively but does not impact intelligence.
Etymology & Origin:
The term “aphasia” comes from the Greek “aphatos,” derived from “a-” meaning “without” and “phasis,” meaning “speech.” Thus, aphasia literally means “without speech.” The term has been used since the 19th century to describe the loss or impairment of the ability to produce or comprehend language due to brain damage.
Examples:
- Someone with Broca’s aphasia may have trouble speaking fluently but can understand language relatively well.
- Wernicke’s aphasia typically involves significant difficulties in understanding spoken language, with speech that is fluent but often nonsensical or irrelevant.
- Global aphasia is a severe form of the condition, where individuals face profound challenges in both expressing and understanding language.
