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Semin Speech Lang 1997; 18(2): 143-157
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1064069
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1064069
Discourse Behaviors in Older Adults
Further Information
Publication History
Publication Date:
15 May 2008 (online)
ABSTRACT
An overview of the changes in older adults' comprehension of language and discourse is provided before changes in production are discussed in some detail. Age-related changes in discourse production have been studied in terms of semantic skills, syntactic complexity, verbal fragmentation, information load, cohesion, macrostructural elements, and conversation. In spite of the heterogeneity in older adults' discourse behaviors, they have a tendency to use shorter, less complex sentences and more indefinite, ambiguous references. Nevertheless, the basic conversational skills of the normally aging elderly are usually well preserved.
KEY WORDS
assessment issues - variability - validity issues