paraphasic error
Pronunciation: pair-uh-FAZE-ik
Unintended substitution of sounds, syllables, or words during speech production, commonly seen in aphasia.
Full Definition
Paraphasic errors are speech production mistakes involving the unintended substitution of linguistic units during spoken language. These errors can be phonemic (sound substitutions like 'cat' for 'bat'), semantic (word substitutions within the same category like 'dog' for 'cat'), or neologistic (creation of nonsense words). Paraphasic errors are hallmark features of various aphasic syndromes, particularly Wernicke's aphasia and conduction aphasia. The frequency and type of paraphasic errors help clinicians localize brain lesions and determine appropriate therapeutic interventions for language rehabilitation.
Usage
Usage note: Specify type when possible: phonemic, semantic, or neologistic. Can be used as noun (paraphasia) or adjective (paraphasic).
In Context
- "The speech therapist documented numerous paraphasic errors during the patient's naming tasks." — Speech-language pathology report
- "Phonemic paraphasic errors were more frequent than semantic substitutions in this patient's speech sample." — Language assessment