Exploration of multilingual AAC users' views and experiences on AAC
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study into perceptions and experiences of multilingual people with acquired neurological disorders on their use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
IRAS ID
291085
Contact name
Janice Murray
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester Metropolitan University
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 1 months, 6 days
Research summary
The majority of the world population are multilingual, meaning that they require two or more languages in their daily life. In the United Kingdom it is often assumed that everyone is able to get by in English, even though actual research into communication needs of multilingual people is limited. A particularly under-researched group is multilingual people who cannot use spoken language to communicate effectively. These people require Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): a strategy or device to support or replace spoken language. These communication devices should allow people to communicate in all situations. However, little is known about what happens when AAC users require more than one language in their daily life.
This study aims to understand the communication needs, desires and practicalities of multilingual people using communication devices. The study is broken down to Phase 1 (MPhil) and 2 (PhD).
Phase 1 consists of a qualitative case series of four people with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) who speak two or more languages in their daily life. MND is a progressive neurological disorder which causes a gradual loss of ability to move, speak, swallow and eventually breathe. There is no known cure. Due to the nature of the disease, all people with MND should be provided with an AAC system. Phase 1 will also include three communication partners per participant. These communication partners represent different communication environments of the person with MND and may include for example their family members, health care staff or colleagues. This aims to capture potentially wider issues in the context of AAC use. This will be conducted online.
The hypotheses from the phase 1 will be further explored in phase 2. Phase 2 continues research to explore barriers and facilitators to multilingual AAC use, to support Speech and Language Therapy practice.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EM/0128
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jun 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion