PYC4813
Assignment 2 2025
Unique #:719223
Due Date: 8 August 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, QUESTION 1
THE EFFECT OF BRAIN DAMAGE ON LANGUAGE ABILITIES
Brain damage can affect many areas of a person’s life, especially language. When
certain parts of the brain are injured, people may struggle with speaking,
understanding, reading, or writing. This is often seen in people with a condition
called aphasia. Aphasia happens when there is damage to the language areas of the
brain, usually in the left hemisphere. The two most well-known types are Broca’s
aphasia and Wernicke’s aphasia. These conditions show us how the brain controls
language and what happens when it is damaged.
Broca’s Aphasia
Broca’s aphasia is caused by damage to the left frontal lobe, in a part of the brain
known as Broca’s area. This area helps us form words and speak clearly. When this
area is injured, a person can understand what others say but struggles to speak.
Their speech becomes slow, broken, and hard to understand. They know what they
want to say, but their brain has trouble telling the mouth and tongue how to move
correctly (Kalat, 2023).
For example, someone with Broca’s aphasia might say "want... water... cup" instead
of saying "I want a cup of water." The words are in the wrong order or missing, but
the main message is still there. Writing is also difficult, and the person may have the
same trouble putting words together on paper. Even though these people know what
they want to say, they get frustrated because they cannot say it smoothly (Kolb,
2021).
Wernicke’s Aphasia
Wernicke’s aphasia is different. It happens when there is damage to the left temporal
lobe, especially an area called Wernicke’s area. This part of the brain helps us
understand language and make meaningful sentences. When it is damaged, a
person can speak fluently, but their words may not make sense. They may use long
sentences with made-up or wrong words, and they may not realise their speech is
confusing (Ward, 2020).
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
Assignment 2 2025
Unique #:719223
Due Date: 8 August 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, QUESTION 1
THE EFFECT OF BRAIN DAMAGE ON LANGUAGE ABILITIES
Brain damage can affect many areas of a person’s life, especially language. When
certain parts of the brain are injured, people may struggle with speaking,
understanding, reading, or writing. This is often seen in people with a condition
called aphasia. Aphasia happens when there is damage to the language areas of the
brain, usually in the left hemisphere. The two most well-known types are Broca’s
aphasia and Wernicke’s aphasia. These conditions show us how the brain controls
language and what happens when it is damaged.
Broca’s Aphasia
Broca’s aphasia is caused by damage to the left frontal lobe, in a part of the brain
known as Broca’s area. This area helps us form words and speak clearly. When this
area is injured, a person can understand what others say but struggles to speak.
Their speech becomes slow, broken, and hard to understand. They know what they
want to say, but their brain has trouble telling the mouth and tongue how to move
correctly (Kalat, 2023).
For example, someone with Broca’s aphasia might say "want... water... cup" instead
of saying "I want a cup of water." The words are in the wrong order or missing, but
the main message is still there. Writing is also difficult, and the person may have the
same trouble putting words together on paper. Even though these people know what
they want to say, they get frustrated because they cannot say it smoothly (Kolb,
2021).
Wernicke’s Aphasia
Wernicke’s aphasia is different. It happens when there is damage to the left temporal
lobe, especially an area called Wernicke’s area. This part of the brain helps us
understand language and make meaningful sentences. When it is damaged, a
person can speak fluently, but their words may not make sense. They may use long
sentences with made-up or wrong words, and they may not realise their speech is
confusing (Ward, 2020).
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
