Production of Consonants /s/ and /t/ in the Malay Language of Subjects with Paralysis

Abstract

Paralysis causes affected person having difficulty in moving their bodies partly or wholly. Paralysis may occur due to several factors including stroke and spinal cord injury (SCI). The sign and symptoms of paralysis depends on its aetiology and affected body parts. One of the indirect effects of paralysis is slurred speech and difficulty in speaking. This study investigated the contact pattern of three paralysed subjects during speech production of consonants /s/ and /t/ in the Malay Language. The subjects had paralyses due to different aetiologies and with different medical history background. All participants were required to produce two single consonants; /s/ and /t/ in a studio laboratory with a soundproof system. Electropalatography (EPG) was selected as the device used for recording the tongue-hard palate contact throughout this study. All subjects were required to wear the Reading EPG palate consisting of 62 electrodes which matched the tongue-palate contact. The speech data were analysed using Articulate Assist 1.18. Then, the patterns from three paralysed subjects were compared with the average contact pattern of Malay speakers obtained in a separate study. Results showed differences in consonant /s/ and /t/ production between paralysed and normal subjects. Hence, data presented can, therefore, be used in the treatment planning of paralysed subjects during speech therapy.