Language history

7.15 Where a patient reports having used more than one language premorbidly, comprehensive information about the patient’s language history should be obtained.

Reference: Centeno & Ansaldo, 2013: Book chapter; Kiran & Roberts, 2012: Book chapter; Roberts, 2008: Book chapter

NHMRC level of Evidence: GPP

Rationale: Discussion with the client, and their family, friends and carers may assist in identifying all languages spoken by the client. A record of all languages spoken by the client should be documented in the notes. 

Estimation of premorbid levels of bi/multilingual proficiency may require additional information about a combination of factors such as self-ratings of proficiency, age of acquisition, and language use patterns (Kiran & Roberts, 2012). A comprehensive language history can also be used to guide intervention goals (Centeno & Ansaldo, 2013; Roberts, 2008).

References:

1. Centeno, J. G., & Ansaldo, A. I. (2013). Aphasia in multilingual populations. In P. C. I. Papathanasiou, & C. Potagas (Ed.), Aphasia and related neurogenic communication disorders. Boston: Jones and Bartlett.
2. Kiran, S., & Roberts, P. (2012). What do we know about assessing language impairment in bilingual aphasia? In M. G. M. Gitterman, & L.K. Obler, L.K. (Ed.), Aspects of Multilingual Aphasia (pp. 35-51). Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters.
3. Roberts, P. M. (2008). Aphasia assessment and treatment in bilingual and multicultural populations. In R. Chapey (Ed.), Language intervention strategies in adult aphasia (5th ed., pp. 245 – 276). Baltimore: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.