Logical-grammatical Constructions Comprehension and Serial Organization of Speech: Finding the Link Using Computer-based Tests

Abstract

Specific difficulties in understanding logical-grammatical constructions are traditionally explained by the deficit of the quasispatial analysis and synthesis in the TPO area of the left hemisphere. However, recent studies show the important role that anterior parts of the brain plays in the process of understanding complex grammatical structures. The process of the serial (syntactic) organization of speech/language is usually described as a function of anterior parts of the brain too. This paper aims to find the link between the process of logical-grammatical constructions comprehension and the process of serial organization of speech. Two computer-based tests were used on the group of 26 early schoolers. The first one was designed by us, and consisted the tasks to choose which picture fits to the sentence. Sentences of three types were used – prepositional, instrumental and sentences with active and passive voices. The second test was from Fotekova-Akhutina Battery of Speech Assessment and consisted of tasks to repeat syllables, words, and sentences. The hierarchy of logical-gtrammatical constructions complexity was established. After it the correlations between the repeating of words and sentences and the comprehension of the most complex types of grammatical constructions were found.