Language and Schizophrenia

Examiing the elusive concept of “schizophrenic language” and its role in diagnosing schizophrenia. The author highlights how psychiatrists have long noted unusual, often incoherent speech patterns in patients, yet definitions remain inconsistent and subjective. Research into thought disorder and language has produced contradictory results, with many features found equally in normal speech. Ultimately, the author argues that while “schizophrenic language” is often treated as evidence, its boundaries with normal language are blurred and its reliability as a diagnostic tool is dubious.