Abstract
In this study, we examined the relationship between language function and practical communicative ability of aphasics by analyzing their language abilities. The Standard Language Test of Aphasia(SLTA)and the test of Communicative Ability of Daily Living(CADL)short form were conducted twice for 88 patients with aphasia. Results of factor and cluster analyses indicated the following factors as SLTA factors; “language comprehension”, “utterance”, “high level language function and writing”. We investigated the relationship between these SLTA factors and the level of communicative competencies. “Language comprehension” factor was related to the CADL level 3 that indicates need of partial support for communication, and “utterance” factor was related to the CADL level 4 that indicates competence in practical communication. The factors of “high level language function and writing” were related to the CADL level 5 indicating independence in communication. During the recovery of language impairments,improvement was observed in “language comprehension” factor first for the patient group that needed total support in communication and in “utterance” factor for the group that needed partial support. In patients who can communicate in a practical level, improvement was initially seen in scores for “high level language function and writing”. Our results suggest a relationship between language function and communicative ability.
