Jargon aphasia: What have we learned?

Abstract

Background: Jargon aphasia is one of the most puzzling and clinically intractable forms of aphasia. It challenges us to think not only about the loss of normal language but also about the apparent acquisition of a strange and novel form of production.

Aims: This paper aims to review the literature about jargon aphasia in order to provide an overview of our current knowledge of the condition.

Main Contribution: The paper will cover five themes: nonword production, monitoring in jargon aphasia, writing in jargon aphasia, semantic jargon, and syntax in jargon aphasia. It attempts to review and appraise some of the key explanations for the phenomena of jargon.

Conclusions: It is acknowledged that many of the questions posed by jargon aphasia remain unresolved. Nevertheless, some tentative explanations for the production of jargon are proposed.