Crystal (1987) defines clinical linguistics as the application of linguistic science to the study of communication disability, as encountered in clinical situations. He then identifies seven specific aims for the subject, which constitute t
Crystal (1987) defines clinical linguistics as “ the application of linguistic science to the study of communication disability, as encountered in clinical situations.” He then identifies seven specific aims for the subject, which constitute the linguist’s interpretation of the clinical demands made upon him. These aims, easy to state, more difficult to achieve, are as follows:
1. the clarification of areas of confusion arising out of the traditional metalanguage and classification of speech pathology;
2. the description of the linguistic behavior of patients and of the clinicians and others who interact with them;
3. the analysis of these descriptions, with a view to demonstrating the systematic nature of the disabilities involved;
4. the classification of patient behavior, as part of the process of differential diagnosis;
5. the assessment of these behaviors, by demonstrating their place on scales of increasing approximation to linguistic norms;
6. the formulation of hypotheses for the remediation of these behaviors, insofar as the therapy and management of patients require reference to linguistic variables, and evaluating the outcome of these hypotheses, as treatment proceeds;
7. the evaluation of the remedial strategies used in intervention, insofar as linguistic variables are involved.
Adapted from Tobin, Yishai’s Phonology As Human Behavior, 1997, 2
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