Social interaktion i afasigrupp : En samtalsanalytisk studie med inriktning mot socialt fasadarbete och gester

Sammanfattning: Every year, 12,000 people in Sweden are diagnosed with aphasia. Many people with aphasia supplement their logopedic treatment by participating in an aphasia group. Aphasia groups provide both social and linguistic stimulation. The aim of the present thesis was to study the social interaction between participants, and between participants and leaders in aphasia groups. In the present study, eleven persons with aphasia and four leaders participated divided into three aphasia groups. The groups were video recorded during sessions with a total of four sessions. Two hours of social interaction were recorded. The material was transcribed and analyzed according to Conversation Analytical principles. The study focuses specifically on the use of gestures and face-work. Both phenomena could be observed in all groups. The results of the present work showed that different gestures could enhance as well as reduce intelligibility. Individuals’ gesture use was consistent with their ability of expression, i.e. the better the expressive ability, the more acceptable and understandable gestures. Face-work that was analyzed in the present study showed that face-threatening as well as face-saving strategies occur in aphasia groups.