Sepedi-toets vir Spraakverstaanbaarheid

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop the "Sepedi-toets vir Spraakverstaanbaarheid" to objectively evaluate the speech intelligibility of the client and to give appropriate phonetic information. This study evolved from the present need for evaluation mechanisms and therapeutic services in the indigenous African languages. The words used in the test had to conform to the requirements of certain phonetic criteria. Words and sentences of differing lengths were included The procedures followed by the test administrator were different for mother tongue speakers than those for non-mother tongue speakers. After the compilation of the test it was applied to four dysarthria speakers. Upon execution of the test it was evident that differences in judgement of speech intelligibility exist between mother tongue and non-mother tongue speakers. Useful phonetic information was obtained through the qualitative analysis of the speech productions. It appears that the "Sepedi-toets vir Spraakverstaanbaarheid" can be used in the clinical environment to obtain a more objective evaluation of the client.