5. Semantic Paraphasia: A Disordered Expression
Semantic paraphasia, a speech disorder symptom, is prominent in people with semantic dementia. It involves substituting one word for another in speech, where the used word is semantically related to the intended one. It’s as if the brain is navigating a twisted map of language, reaching the wrong destination but one that’s not too far off.
In the early stages, the individual might replace specific words with more general ones. For instance, they might use “animal” instead of “dog” or “vehicle” instead of “car”. These changes may be hardly noticeable, with listeners interpreting it as a mere slip of the tongue or a quirk of speech.
However, as the disease progresses, these substitutions become more frequent and pronounced, affecting the clarity of their speech. Conversations can become riddled with misplaced words, making it difficult for others to understand the intended message. It can lead to miscommunication and frustration on both ends, straining interpersonal relationships.
Moreover, semantic paraphasia can profoundly affect an individual’s self-confidence and social interactions. They may become aware of their speech errors and start avoiding conversations for fear of embarrassment. It can lead to social withdrawal, adding an emotional toll to the cognitive decline they are experiencing. (5)
