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1.3.12Broca's Aphasia, Wernicke's Aphasia, and Speech Difficulties
Aphasia is the language equivalent of amusia, discussed a bit earlier. Aphasia refers to any of several disorders that result in loss of ability to communicate in speech or writing (or both). There are two main types:
1. Broca’s Aphasia (also called expressive aphasia):
- If you have a stroke or otherwise suffer damage to a specific area of the left hemisphere called Broca’s area, you will have difficulty speaking. However, the content of what you’re saying, slow and disjointed as it may come out, will make sense.
- Interestingly, if you have Broca’s aphasia, you will have great difficulty reciting or speaking the words of a song you had learned before developing aphasia, but will usually be able to sing the words fluently.
2. Wernicke’s Aphasia (also called fluent aphasia):
- If you have a stroke or otherwise suffer damage to an area of the left hemisphere called Wernicke’s area, you will be able to speak fluently, but the content of what you’re saying will not make sense.
- Numerous politicians, some defence attorneys, television evangelists, many advertising copywriters, talk radio hosts, and talk radio callers appear to suffer from Wernicke’s aphasia.