Metaphorically speaking – Aphasia according to people with aphasia

Background and Aims: Aphasia is a communication disability due to an acquired impairment of language modalities caused by brain damage. The aim of this paper is to explore metaphorical language expressed and stories told by people with aphasia – about aphasia – to enhance insight into their experiences. “What is aphasia – according to people with aphasia?” This is the broader research question. The study can be said to build on findings from a substantial amount of research within the field of aphasia, where people with aphasia are included both as co-researchers, informants and experts. However, few studies yet have focused on the metaphors about aphasia people with aphasia use. The "cognitive efficacy of metaphor" (Kittay, 1987, cited in Denshire, 2002) makes metaphor a powerful way of exploring aphasia from the inside, while storytelling might add to the picture also by drawing attention to emotional aspects (Cassell & Bishop, 2019). Method: This study has a qualitative design, and semi-structured interviews were used to address the aim of the study. 16 PWA were identified through SLT and Aphasia Association networks using purposeful sampling. PWA included in this study had mild to severe aphasia. They had been living with aphasia for a few months, up to several years. Face-to-face interviews were conducted by the two authors who are both trained SLTs. The interviews took place at the local SLTs’ offices, the participants’ homes or other venues, by the participants’ choice. Interviews were video or audio recorded, and subsequently transcribed. Transcripts were read through carefully. Incidences of metaphorical language and storytelling were identified and coded, inspired by work by Cassell and Bishop (2019), Denshire (2002) and others. Rigor and reliability of the analysis were enhanced through the use of two coders and staying close to the surface of the responses. Results: Analysis of the interviews revealed that the participants were using several different metaphors to explain aphasia, while storytelling was a frequent tool to exemplify episodic and sometimes emotional aspects of aphasia during the conversations. The metaphors can be divided in two main categories; what aphasia is (aphasia can be described as a dresser with locked drawers) and what it is like living with aphasia (having aphasia feels like being in prison). Discussion and Conclusions: It can be a challenge to understand what living with aphasia is like. Metaphors used and stories told by people with aphasia can help others understand aphasia as they see it. References Cassell, C. & Bishop, V. (2019). Qualitative data analysis: exploring themes, metaphors and stories. European Management Review,16, 195–207. Denshire, S. (2002). Metaphors we live by: ways of imagining practice. Qualitative Research Journal, 2, 28-46.