Syntax for speech-language pathologists

Abstract

The general aim of this paper is to set out certain aspects of recent developments in the field of syntax, and to show how they are of particular relevance to the speech-language pathologist (SLP). The paper provides an introduction to this field, with a focus on that which may be applicable in clinical practice, and as such is targeted at SLPs who possess little or no understanding of current syntactic theory. As Shapiro (2000:2) notes, "understanding syntax and manipulating it in principled ways is becoming more and more important to the treatment of language disorders". With this in mind, the paper aims to provide SLPs with a basic understanding of current syntactic theory in order to equip them to utilise such knowledge in the clinical process. By way of introduction, section 2 provides an overview of the development of the field of syntactic theory from the early days of generative grammar (Chomsky 1957; 1964; 1965) to current work within the minimalist program (Chomsky 1995a; 1999; 2000; 2001; 2002). The aim of this overview is to orientate the reader with regard to what follows in sections 3 and 4, perhaps bridging the gap between vague memories of generative syntax in undergraduate linguistics courses and current issues in the clinical application of syntax discussed in recent papers on the topic. In section 3, central aspects of current syntactic theory which are particularly relevant to application in clinical practice are set out. In section 4, examples of the successful application of syntax in informing the clinical process are discussed.

Keywords

• speech-language pathologis
• syntax
• syntactic theory