ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the language disorders in relation to specific aspects of the language system itself rather than within a series of syndrome descriptions. Where neuropsychological syndromes are discussed, the objective will be to use relevant components within the syndromes to illustrate cognitive deficiencies in selective aspects of language processing. The standard clinical taxonomy employed by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) for developmental language disorders is insufficiently differentiated to be used to form a core structure. Disorders of language production may result not only from anomias or grammatical difficulties, but also from disorder in the control of speech movements. Current use of the term otitis media refers to repeated infections of the middle ear over a defined period of time. The effect of the otitis media is to impair the transformational chain that sound has to be translated from air to fluid directly in order to stimulate the nerve cells of the inner ear.
