bubble50 DH Freelance 中翻英 英翻中

What Is Dysphasia?

什麼是語言障礙？[1]

Definition

定義

Dysphasia is a condition that affects your ability to produce and understand spoken language. Dysphasia can also cause reading, writing, and gesturing impairments.

語言障礙是指一種影響你表達和理解話語的疾病。語言障礙還可能導致閱讀、寫作和手勢障礙。

Dysphasia is often mistaken for other disorders. It’s sometimes confused with dysarthria, a speech disorder. It may also be confused with dysphagia, a swallowing disorder.

語言障礙經常被誤認為是其他障礙。它有時會與構音障礙(一種說話障礙)混淆。它也可能與吞嚥困難(一種吞嚥障礙)混淆。

Dysphasia is a language disorder. It occurs when the areas of the brain responsible for turning thoughts into spoken language are damaged and can’t function properly. Consequently, people with dysphasia often have difficulty with verbal communication.

語言障礙是一種關於語言的障礙。當大腦中負責將思維轉為語言的區域受損並且無法正常運作時，就會發生這種情況。因此，患有語言障礙的人通常難以與人進行口語交流。

Dysphasia is caused by brain damage. Strokes are the most common cause of brain damage that leads to dysphasia. Other causes include infections, head injuries, and tumors.

語言障礙是由大腦受損所造成。造成大腦受損而導致語言障礙最常見的原因則是中風。其他原因還包括感染、頭部受傷和腫瘤。

What causes this and who’s at risk?

造成語言障礙的原因以及誰有好發的風險？

Dysphasia occurs when the areas of the brain responsible for language production and comprehension are damaged or injured. This damage can be caused by a number of different medical conditions.

當負責語言生成和理解的大腦區域受損或受傷時，就會導致語言障礙。許多不同的病情都可能造成這種損害。

Strokes are the most common cause of dysphasia. During a stroke, a blockage or breakage in the blood vessels of the brain deprives the cells of blood, and consequently oxygen. When brain cells are deprived of oxygen for too long, they may die.

造成語言障礙最常見的原因是中風。當中風發作時，大腦血管的阻塞或破裂將減少腦中的血球數，因而減少氧氣的供應。當腦細胞失去氧氣的時間過長，就可能造成腦細胞的死亡。

Some other common causes of dysphasia include:

其他造成語言障礙常見的原因包括：

• infections                                     感染
• severe head injuries                      嚴重的頭部受傷
• brain tumors                                腦腫瘤
• neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

神經退化性疾病，如阿茲海默症和帕金森氏症

• transient ischemic attacks (TIA)    短暫性腦缺血發作(TIA)
• migraines                                     偏頭痛
• seizures                                        癲癇

Some causes of dysphasia, such as TIAs, migraines, and seizures, only result in temporary brain damage. Language abilities are restored once the attack is over.

一些導致語言障礙的原因，例如TIA、偏頭痛和癲癇，只會造成暫時性的腦損傷。一旦發作結束，語言能力就會恢復。

While certain causes of dysphasia, such as head injuries, are unpredictable, others, such as strokes, have clear risk factors. These include:

雖然某些造成語言障礙的原因難以預測的，例如頭部受傷；但其他原因則有明顯的危險因子，例如中風。這些包括：

• high cholesterol              高膽固醇
• high blood pressure        高血壓
• heart disease                   心臟病
• diabetes                          糖尿病
• a sedentary lifestyle        久坐不動的生活方式

Addressing these issues can lower your risk for stroke and, as a result, your risk for dysphasia.

解決這些問題可以降低中風的危險，從而降低患有語言障礙的危險。

What’s the difference between dysphasia and aphasia?

語言障礙與失語症有什麼區別？

Dysphasia and aphasia have the same causes and symptoms. Some sources suggest aphasia is more severe, and involves a complete loss of speech and comprehension abilities. Dysphasia, on the other hand, only involves moderate language impairments.

語言障礙和失語症有著相同的原因和症狀。有些認為失語症更為嚴重，涉及完全喪失言語和理解能力。另一方面，語言障礙則僅涉及中度語言損害。

However, many health professionals and researchers use these terms interchangeably to refer to full and partial disruptions of language abilities. Aphasia is the preferred term in North America, while dysphasia may be more common in other parts of the world.

然而，許多醫療專業人員和研究人員交替使用這些術語來代指語言能力的完全和部分損毀。失語症是北美地區比較常用到的術語，而世界其他地區則可能更常使用語言障礙。

Types of dysphasia

語言障礙的類型

There are several different types and subtypes of dysphasia. Each type is associated with damage to a particular area of the brain. However, among those affected by dysphasia, distinctions are often less clear. Brain damage is rarely clear-cut.

語言障礙有幾種不同的類型和亞型。每種類型都與大腦特定區域的受損有關。然而，在受語言障礙影響的人中，區別往往不太明顯。很少能將腦損傷準確無誤的區分開來。

Expressive types

表達型

Expressive dysphasia affects speech and language output. People who have expressive dysphasia have difficulty producing speech, though they may understand what’s said to them. They’re usually aware of their difficulties expressing themselves.

表達型失語症會影響言語和語言的輸出。患有表現型失語症的人儘管能夠理解別人對他們所說的話，但他們卻難以用言語來回答。通常他們能意識到自己有表達的困難。

Broca’s dysphasia (also known as Broca’s aphasia)

布洛卡失語症

Broca’s dysphasia is one of the most common types of dysphasia. It involves damage to a part of the brain known as Broca’s area. Broca’s area is responsible for speech production. People with Broca’s dysphasia have extreme difficulty forming words and sentences, and may speak with difficulty or not at all. They often understand what others say better than they speak.

布洛卡失語症是最常見的失語症類型之一。它主要是指大腦中被稱為布氏區的部分受到損害。布氏區是大腦中負責言語生成的區域。患有布洛卡失語症的人極難在大腦中組織詞語和句子，並且可能難以說出話或根本無法說話。通常而言，他們能理解的話比他們能說出來的話還要多。

Transcortical dysphasia (also known as transcortical aphasia)

跨皮質型失語症

Transcortical dysphasia is less common. Also known as isolation dysphasia, it affects the nerve fibers that carry information between the brain’s language centers, as well as other centers that integrate and process subtle aspects of communication. These include tone of voice, emotion, and facial expressions.

跨皮質型失語症比較不常見。它也被稱為孤立型失語症，它影響大腦語言中心間傳遞訊息的神經纖維，以及其他整合和處理細微溝通方面的中心。這些包括語調、情緒和臉部表情。

There are three types of transcortical dysphasia:

跨皮質型失語症有三種類型：

• transcortical sensory dysphasia     跨皮質感覺型失語症
• transcortical motor dysphasia 跨皮質運動型失語症
• mixed transcortical dysphasia 跨皮質混合型失語症

Receptive types

接受型

Receptive dysphasia affects language comprehension. People who have receptive dysphasia are often able to speak, but without meaning. They’re often unaware that others don’t understand them.

接受型失語症會影響語言的理解。患有接受型失語症的人通常能說話，但說的話卻沒有意義。他們常常不知道其他人不懂他們在說什麼。

Wernicke’s dysphasia (also known as Wernicke’s aphasia)

威尼克失語症

Wernicke’s dysphasia involves damage to a part of the brain called Wernicke’s area. Wernicke’s area helps us to understand the meaning of words and language. People with Wernicke’s dysphasia may be able to speak fluently, but their use of nonsensical or irrelevant words and phrases can make what they say incomprehensible. They may also have difficulties understanding spoken language.

威尼克失語症主要是大腦中被稱為威氏區的部分受到損害。威氏區幫助我們理解詞語和語言的含義。患有威尼克失語症的人說話可以說得很流利，但他們卻是使用荒謬或無關的詞語和短句，使他們說的話令人無法理解。甚至他們也可能難以理解口頭語言。

Anomic dysphasia (also known as anomic aphasia)

命名失語症

Anomic dysphasia is a milder type of dysphasia. People with anomic dysphasia have difficulties retrieving specific words, including names. When they can’t remember a word, they might pause, use gestures, or substitute a general word or roundabout description.

命名失語症是一種較輕微的失語症。患有命名失語症的人難以思索特定的詞語，包括名字。當他們記不起一個詞語時，他們可能會停頓、使用手勢或用一般的詞語去替代或迂迴的描述。

Conduction dysphasia (also known as conduction aphasia)

傳導性失語症

Conduction dysphasia is one of the rarest types of dysphasia. People with conduction dysphasia can understand and produce speech, but may have difficulty repeating it.

傳導性失語症是失語症中最罕見的一種類型之一。患有傳導性失語症的人可以理解並說得出話，但在重複話語上卻有困難。

Global type

完全型

Global dysphasia (also called global aphasia) is caused by widespread damage to the brain’s language centers. People with global dysphasia have extreme difficulty expressing and understanding language.

全失語症是由大腦語言中心的大範圍受損而引起的。患有全失語症的人極難表達和理解語言。

Symptoms of dysphasia

語言障礙的症狀

People with dysphasia may experience difficulties using or comprehending speech. Symptoms depend on the location and severity of brain damage.

患有語言障礙的人可能會在使用或理解言語上遇到困難。症狀取決於大腦受損的位置和嚴重程度。

Speaking symptoms include:

說話的症狀包括：

• struggling to find words (anomia)            拼命去思索詞語（命名型失語症）
• speaking slowly or with great difficulty    說話緩慢或說得很艱難
• speaking in single words or short fragments     用單一詞語或短句說話
• omitting small words, such as articles and prepositions (telegraphic speech)

遺漏小的詞語，例如冠詞和介詞（電報式語言[2]）

• making grammatical errors                       文法上的錯誤
• mixing up word order                               混雜詞語的順序
• substituting words or sounds                    替換詞語或聲音
• using nonsensical words                           使用荒謬無意義的詞語
• speaking fluently but without meaning     說得很流利卻沒有意義

Comprehension symptoms include:

理解的症狀包括：

• struggling to understand speech                拼命去理解言語
• taking extra time to understand speech     花更多的時間來理解言語
• giving incorrect answers to simple questions     即便是簡單問題也會給出錯誤的答案
• having difficulty understanding complex grammar  難以理解複雜的文法
• having difficulty understanding fast speech 難以理解說得太快的言語
• misinterpreting meaning (for instance, taking figurative language literally)

誤解意義（例如，從字面上理解比喻性語言）

• lacking awareness of errors                       缺乏意識到錯誤的能力

People with dysphasia may also have other difficulties, particularly with reading and writing.

患有語言障礙的人也可能有其他的困難，特別是在閱讀和寫作方面。

How it’s diagnosed

如何診斷語言障礙

Dysphasia often appears suddenly — for instance, following a head injury. When it appears without an obvious cause, it’s usually a sign of another condition, such as a stroke or a brain tumor. If you’re experiencing symptoms of dysphasia, you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

語言障礙通常是突然出現，例如頭部損傷後。當沒有明顯原因就出現語言障礙時，這通常是另一種疾病的徵兆，例如中風或腦腫瘤。如果你出現語言障礙的症狀，就應盡快就醫。

Your doctor might suggest some or all of the following tests:

醫生可能會建議你進行以下部分或全部的檢查：

• a physical exam                               體檢
• a neurological exam                         神經系統檢查
• other tests of abilities such as reflexes, strength, and feeling

其他能力的檢查，如反應、力量和感覺

• an imaging test, such as an MRI scan   成像測試，例如核磁共振成像(MRI)
• a speech-language evaluation          言語及語言表達評估

Keep in mind that your doctor might use the term “aphasia” to refer to the symptoms.

請記住，醫生可能會使用「失語症」來指稱這些症狀。

Treatment options

治療方案

In mild cases of dysphasia, language skills may be recovered without treatment. However, most of the time, speech and language therapy is used to redevelop language skills.

在輕度的語言障礙中，語言能力可能會在沒有治療的情況之下恢復。然而，大多數的時候，都是用言語及語言治療來重建語言能力。

Speech and language therapists focus on helping individuals with dysphasia regain as much language as possible, while also helping them learn how to use compensation techniques and other modes of communication.

言語及語言治療師主要幫助患有語言障礙的人盡可能恢復語言能力，同時幫助他們學習如何使用補償技巧和其他方式來交流。

What’s the outlook?

恢復前景如何？

Although significant improvements can be made, restoring full communication abilities after brain damage has occurred isn’t always possible. Treatment is most effective when it occurs as soon as possible after the stroke or injury, so speak with your doctor about your symptoms as soon as they occur.

雖然治療能有重大的改善，但在腦部受損後並非總是可以完全恢復溝通能力。治療最有效的時機是在中風後或受傷後就立即展開，因此一旦發生，請立即告訴醫生你的症狀。