An Analysis of the Regression Hypothesis

This book explores the fascinating symmetry between how language is acquired and how it can be lost, applying the Regression Hypothesis to the Shona language to investigate whether the dissolution of grammar in aphasia mirrors the pattern of child language acquisition. Through a meticulous case study of a 46-year-old man with Broca’s aphasia in Harare and a comparison with a Shona-speaking child, the research uncovered a critical parallel: the future tense posed a significant challenge for the adult with aphasia and had yet to be fully mastered by the developing child, while both individuals commanded the present and past tenses with relative ease. These findings provided powerful support for the hypothesis that language loss can be a reversal of its acquisition, moving beyond theory to highlight the vital practical applications of linguistics for speech therapy and offering culturally relevant insights for rehabilitation in Zimbabwe. The book stands as a significant contribution to Bantu linguistics, enriching our understanding of Shona and paving the way for future research on other languages of the region.