Cross-Language Generalization following Treatment in Bilingual Speakers with Aphasia: A Review

ABSTRACT

The focus of this article is on the potential transfer or generalization of positive effects from a treated to an untreated language in bilingual or multilingual individuals with primary acquired aphasia. Twelve studies are reviewed: All were previously published in English in peer-reviewed journals. Half of these studies failed to account for spontaneous recovery. Results from the remaining case reports and single-subject studies are mixed, with four finding evidence for cross-language generalization under some conditions and two finding that improved language performance was restricted to the treated language. Collective findings are discussed within the broader literature in terms of factors to consider when planning for effective, efficient intervention with bilinguals with aphasia.

KEYWORDS

Aphasia - bilingual - cross-linguistic transfer - intervention

REFERENCES

• 1 Kohnert K. Language Disorders in Bilingual Children and Adults. San Diego, CA; Plural 2008
• 2 Bialystok E, Hakuta K. In Other Words: The Science and Psychology of Second-Language Acquisition. New York, NY; Basic Books 1994
• 3 Centeno J G. Bilingual development and communication: implications for clinical language studies. In: Centeno JG, Anderson RT, Obler LK Communication Disorders in Spanish Speakers. Clevedon, United Kingdom; Multilingual Matters 2007: 46-56
• 4 Fabbro F. The bilingual brain: cerebral representation of languages.  Brain Lang. 2001;  79(2) 211-222
• 5 Centeno J G. Considerations for an ethnopsycholinguistic framework for aphasia intervention with bilingual speakers. In: Ardila A, Ramos E Speech and Language Disorders in Bilinguals. New York, NY; Nova Science 2007
• 6 LPAA Project Group . Life participation approach to aphasia. In: Chapey R Language Intervention Strategies in Aphasia and Related Neurogenic Communication Disorders. Philadelphia, PA; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2001
• 7 Davis G A. Aphasiology: Disorders and Clinical Practice. Needham Heights, MA; Allyn & Bacon 2000
• 8 Fredman M. The effect of therapy given in Hebrew on the home language of the bilingual or polyglot adult aphasic in Israel.  Br J Disord Commun. 1975;  10(1) 61-69
• 9 Junqué C, Vendrell P, Vendrell-Brucet J M, Tobeña A. Differential recovery in naming in bilingual aphasics.  Brain Lang. 1989;  36(1) 16-22
• 10 Edmonds L A, Kiran S. Effect of semantic naming treatment on crosslinguistic generalization in bilingual aphasia.  J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2006;  49(4) 729-748
• 11 Butfield E, Zangwilt O L. Reeducation in aphasia: a review of 70 cases.  J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1946;  9 75-79
• 12 Voinescu I, Vish E, Sirian S, Maretsis M. Aphasia in a polyglot.  Brain Lang. 1977;  4(2) 165-176
• 13 Watamori T S, Sasanuma S. The recovery processes of two English-Japanese bilingual aphasics.  Brain Lang. 1978;  6(2) 127-140
• 14 Filiputti D, Tavano A, Vorano L, De Luca G, Favor F. Nonparallel recovery of language in a quadrilingual aphasic patient.  Int J Bilingualism. 2002;  6 395-410
• 15 Paradis M. A Neurolinguistic Theory of Bilingualism. Philadelphia, PA; John Benjamins 2004
• 16 de Bot K, Clyne M. Language reversion revisited.  Stud Second Lang Acquis. 1989;  11 167-177
• 17 de Bot K, Makoni S. Language and Aging in Multilingual Contexts. Clevedon, United Kingdom; Multilingual Matters 2005
• 18 Schmid M. First language attrition: the methodology revised.  Int J Bilingualism. 2003;  8 239-255
• 19 Gil M, Goral M. Nonparallel recovery in bilingual aphasia: effects of language choice, language proficiency, and treatment.  Int J Bilingualism. 2004;  8 191-219
• 20 Goral M, Levy E, Kastl R. Cross-language treatment generalization: a case of trilingual aphasia.  Brain Lang. 2007;  103 203-204
• 21 Laganaro M, Overton Venet M. Acquired alexia in multilingual aphasia and computer-assisted treatment in both languages: issues of generalisation and transfer.  Folia Phoniatr Logop. 2001;  53(3) 135-144
• 22 Hinckley J. Picture naming treatment in aphasia yields greater improvement in L1.  Brain Lang. 2003;  87 171-172
• 23 Kohnert K. Cognitive and cognate-based treatments for bilingual aphasia: a case study.  Brain Lang. 2004;  91(3) 294-302
• 24 Bamford K W. Bilingual issues in mental health assessment and treatment.  Hisp J Behav Sci. 1991;  13 377-390
• 25 de Zulueta F. Bilingualism and family therapy.  J Fam Ther. 1990;  12 255-265
• 26 Marrero M Z, Golden C J, Espe-Pfeifer P. Bilingualism, brain injury, and recovery: implications for understanding the bilingual and for therapy.  Clin Psychol Rev. 2002;  22(3) 465-480
• 27 Galvez A, Hinckley J J. Transfer patterns of naming treatment in a case of bilingual aphasia.  Brain Lang. 2003;  87 173-174
• 28 Meinzer M, Obleser J, Flaisch T, Eulitz C, Rockstroh B. Recovery from aphasia as a function of language therapy in an early bilingual patient demonstrated by fMRI.  Neuropsychologia. 2007;  45(6) 1247-1256
• 29 Meinzer M, Djundja D, Barthel G, Elbert T, Rockstroh B. Long-term stability of improved language functions in chronic aphasia after constraint-induced aphasia therapy.  Stroke. 2005;  36(7) 1462-1466
• 30 Roberts P. Clinical research needs and issues in bilingual aphasia.  Aphasiology. 1998;  12 119-306
• 31 Robey R R. A meta-analysis of clinical outcomes in the treatment of aphasia.  J Speech Lang Hear Res. 1998;  41(1) 172-187
• 32 Connor L T, Obler L K, Tocco M, Fitzpatrick P M, Albert M L. Effect of socioeconomic status on aphasia severity and recovery.  Brain Lang. 2001;  78(2) 254-257
• 33 Chapey R. Language Intervention Strategies in Aphasia and Related Neurogenic Communication Disorders. 4th ed. Baltimore, MD; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2001
• 34 Saygin A P, Dick F, Wilson S M, Dronkers N F, Bates E. Neural resources for processing language and environmental sounds: evidence from aphasia.  Brain. 2003;  126(Pt 4) 928-945
• 35 Kohnert K, Derr A. Language intervention with bilingual children. In: Goldstein B Bilingual Language Development and Disorders in Spanish-English Speakers. Baltimore, MD; Brookes 2004: 315-343