Project objectives
The purpose of this project is to investigate how adults with and without acquired language – and cognitive difficulties interpret proverbs and so-called idioms. Proverbs and idioms are special, because one says one thing but really means something else.
The type of transmitted language, i.e. language with a different meaning, is also called figurative or figurative language. There are also different groups of figurative language, some of which are easier to understand while others are more difficult.
Aims
The knowledge gained in our study will provide new knowledge about how proverbs and idioms, i.e. figurative language, are understood and interpreted by different patient groups.
Recruitment
We are now recruiting participants for the project with the following criteria:
Adults with one of these diagnoses:
- Non-fluent aphasia after a stroke
- Mild cognitive difficulties
- Alzheimer's disease
Normal language adults without these diagnoses in the age group 65-80 as controls.
All participants must meet the following requirements:
- The person must have competence to consent.
- The person speaks fluent Norwegian or spoke it until diagnosis.
- The person has no other neurological or psychiatric diagnoses.
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The person is not taking any medication that may make them lethargic, tired or very excited during participation.
Do you want to participate? Want to know more?
Please contact Research Assistants Silvia Allegretta: 92 94 98 89/ silviaal@uio.no or Sarah Killengreen on mobile: 984 01 265 or by email: sjkillen@uio.no.
You can also contact project manager Vanja Kljajevic in English on telephone 22 84 42 60 or email: vanjakl@uio.no.
Participation entails
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Two meetings lasting approximately 1 hour each (can be conducted the same day with a break if desired)
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A project member will meet you somewhere that suits you or in our premises at the Department of Special Needs Education, Helga Engs hus.
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The tasks map general language skills and general cognitive function
Project background
Proverbs are part of our everyday language. Proverbs and idioms are still special, because you say one thing but really mean something else. For example, the saying "The grass is always greener on the other side" means imagining that conditions are better elsewhere than where you are.
Another type of figurative language is idioms, which are a kind of everyday expression. "Taking water over your head" is an example of an idiom. In this project, we want to investigate whether people with different diagnoses understand proverbs and idioms the same or in different ways.
Method
In this study, we will map adults' understanding, proverbs and everyday expressions, as well as selected linguistic and cognitive skills for further analysis of the data. The selection of participants consists of four groups:
- People with non-fluent aphasia after a stroke
- People with a diagnosis of mild cognitive difficulties
- People with Alzheimer's disease
- Typical controls, i.e. without any of the diagnoses under points a-c and without other corresponding diseases that affect language and thinking.
The study was approved by the Central Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics (REK) and SIKT, and is classified as public interest.
Findings
The results will form the basis for the development of better mapping tools for communication for different patient groups in the future.