Meaning and purpose: A conceptual model for speech pathology terminology

Abstract

Within speech pathology, one term is sometimes used to cover a range of different constructs, or sometimes several terms refer to one construct. This leads to the high level of inconsistency which characterizes our professional terminology. The speech pathology profession is impeded on several fronts due to this inconsistent terminology. There is an urgent need to develop more appropriate and more consistent terminology to allow the profession to advance in both professional and public forums. This article aims to initiate a debate about how to improve the current situation by exploring the impact of inconsistency on the profession and its clients, and highlighting some of the factors contributing to inconsistency. These factors are the reason the profession has not developed universal and straightforward terminology. Work on improving consistency in speech pathology terminology must first focus on understanding, resolving or minimizing the impact of these underlying factors. This article then proposes the development of a conceptual model based on the purposes of terminology. Such a conceptual model could be developed if the profession investigated the various purposes of terminology, and developed a framework which included definitions and parameters of these purposes, and only then looked at examples of appropriate terms to meet these purposes. A proposal for a conceptual model is presented as a provocation to the profession.

• Terminology
• consistency
• speech pathology
• language
• conceptual model
• framework
• communication