ABSTRACT
There is a fundamental difference between language and thought, which has received surprisingly little emphasis in the study of schizophrenia. Some schizophrenic patients say things that are barely comprehensible, but very fascinating. The peculiar speech observed in many schizophrenic patients is traditionally labelled 'thought disorder'. This label suggests that the peculiar things that schizophrenic patients say are a consequence of peculiar thoughts. The abnormalities of schizophrenic language lie at the level not of language competence, but of language use. The disorders of action associated with schizophrenia fall into three categories, namely poverty of action; perseveration; and inappropriate actions. The final cause of faulty communication in schizophrenia is that the patient fails to take account of the knowledge of the listener when constructing their utterances. This chapter discusses the work of Rochester and others, which has demonstrated a lack of referents and of cohesive ties in the utterances of schizophrenic patients.
