Symptom 5: Talking in Circles: Circumlocution
Just when you thought the linguistic landscape of Wernicke’s aphasia couldn’t get more complex, we encounter circumlocution. Picture this: instead of saying “dog,” an individual says “the thing that barks and wags its tail.” They’re not being poetic, they’re navigating around a word they can’t recall. This roundabout way of speaking is circumlocution.
What’s fascinating about this symptom is the cognitive strategy it reflects. When a direct path to a word is blocked, the mind finds a detour. It’s like using a map to find alternative routes when the main road is closed. The destination is reached, albeit a bit slower and via a longer route. This symptom exemplifies the brain’s plasticity, its ability to adapt in the face of challenges.
Yet, as ingenious as this strategy might seem, it’s far from perfect. It can make conversations lengthy and tedious, leaving both the speaker and the listener frustrated. Furthermore, some concepts are harder to describe indirectly than others, leaving the individual struggling to convey their thoughts.
Interestingly, circumlocution isn’t exclusive to Wernicke’s aphasia. It’s also seen in other forms of aphasia, and even in healthy individuals when we can’t recall a specific word. But in the context of Wernicke’s aphasia, it’s amplified, becoming a staple in conversations. (5)
