Article published in:
Language Development: The lifespan perspective
Edited by Annette Gerstenberg and Anja Voeste
[IMPACT: Studies in Language, Culture and Society 37] 2015
► pp. 59–76

Language production in late life

As individuals age, their speech changes. Nonpathological changes to the brain’s structure and organization affect the function of the prefrontal cortex, the lateralization of functions, and neuromodulation of synaptic transmission. As a result, word-finding problems increase, speech becomes increasingly constrained by working memory limitations, and older adults become more susceptible to the effects of distractions and dual-task demands. At the same time, aging affects social relationships and interactions. Negative stereotypes of older adults are pervasive, resulting in both over- and under-accommodations to aging, the use of elderspeak, and the assumption that older adults are prone to be excessively talkative.
Published online: 22 July 2015
https://doi.org/10.1075/impact.37.04kem
Cited by

Cited by 3 other publications

Hummert, Mary Lee
2017.  In Encyclopedia of Geropsychology, ► pp. 569 ff. Crossref logo
Nassenstein, Nico
2019. Manipulation in late life. International Journal of Language and Culture 6:1 ► pp. 45 ff. Crossref logo
Pichler, Heike, Suzanne Evans Wagner & Ashley Hesson
2018. Old-age language variation and change: Confronting variationist ageism. Language and Linguistics Compass 12:6 ► pp. e12281 ff. Crossref logo

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