A multi-level analytic approach to discourse production : normative performance and task effect

Abstract

This study applied a systematic multi-level analytic approach to Cantonese spoken discourse. Sixteen linguistic measures addressing lexical, syntactic, discourse and informativeness level were adopted to analyze the discourse productions of neurologically unimpaired participants. Language data of 150 neurologically unimpaired participants were extracted from the Cantonese AphasiaBank and elicited by a sequential picture task, a single picture description task and a storytelling task. This study aimed to explore the effect of task on linguistic performance, investigate correlations across linguistic levels and examine the predictors for informativeness. Results revealed that linguistic performance is affected by type of discourse tasks. Correlations were found across linguistic levels, especially between lexical and discourse level. Story grammar total score was found to be a significant predictor for main concept score. The results clearly demonstrate clinical significance. First, it has established normative data with reference to discoure task, age, gender and education level. Second, it has provided insight for language assessment and therapy by confirming task effect on linguistic performance.