Pragmatic Deviations in the Speech of Paranoid Schizophrenic Patients in Cameroon

Abstract

This study sought to bring to lime light some Pragmatic deviations in the speech of some Paranoid Schizophrenic patients in Cameroon. The study intended to study Paranoid Schizophrenia from an African context in general and from a Cameroonian point of view in particular. The study therefore sought to report the different pragmatic lapses in the thought content and actual speech of the patients. This study was carried out on nine patients in the Jamot hospital, situated at the Mballa II neighbourhood in the Centre Region of Cameroon (Yaoundé). The hospital has a Psychiatric unit which receives patients nationwide, as such; it was the best place to carry out the study because it gave us the possibility to work with patients from almost all the regions of the country. Data was collected with the help of interviews and active observation. Data was analysed following the qualitative and quantitative methods. The study revealed that schizophrenic patients effectively suffer from features such as thought content and actual language or communicative disorders. Despite the challenges faced by these patients, with proper treatment and follow-up, they can be reinserted into society and they can be able to live a normal life. We recommend that linguists should be trained and posted in hospitals to work with medical personnel. This will enable the diagnosis of language disorders. Specialized centers should also be created. These centers will help train outgoing patients; which will eventually help in the reinsertion of these patients in society through a decent way of livelihood.