When reading a sentence is easier than reading a ‘little’ word: The role of production processes in deep dyslexics' reading aloud

Abstract

Deep dyslexia is an acquired reading disorder. Investigations of this disorder have focused primarily on the error pattern for single words read aloud. An essential characteristic of deep dyslexia is a profound inability to read closed class elements (‘function words’). In Garrett's language production model, closed and open class words (‘content words’) are retrieved by distinct mechanisms: Open class elements are retrieved independently of their phrasal environment, but closed class words are integral parts of phrase structure. This study's expectation was that if syntactic environments supporting closed class are available to deep dyslexic readers, their ability to read closed class words might improve. Two English speaking patients and one Italian speaking patient were tested using a text and list format manipulation. All three were significantly better at reading closed class words presented in text format than list format. Open class words that are generally read poorly (e.g. verbs) did not show similar improvements.