Speech Asapheia
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Speech asapheia is an unclear pronunciation caused by central speech apparatus lesions, anatomical palate defects, malocclusions, missing teeth, or macroglossia. Treatment involves surgical or orthodontic correction of physical defects combined with subsequent speech therapy.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
SPEECH ASAPHEIA (from the Greek asapheia meaning obscurity), unclear pronunciation caused by the following reasons: lesions of the central speech apparatus (see Speech) and defects of the hard and soft palate; marked progenia and prognathia; absence of front teeth; macroglossia, and others. Treatment: in physical defects, these impairments are eliminated by surgical or orthopedic (orthodontic) means. However, the mere elimination of palate defects at a late age usually does not lead to speech correction, and it is necessary to resort to subsequent speech remediation under the guidance of speech therapists.
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Cite this page
“Speech Asapheia.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/speech-asapheia/