Featured Research: Language & Communication

Stories

Message banking brings hope for persons with MND

Facing the reality of a diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disease (MND) and preparing for the possibility of losing one's ability to speak is extremely difficult.

Story

Research examines the ethics of corporate communication

From the very start of their careers, communication professionals learn four universal truths about dealing with the media: do not lie to the media, do not hide facts from the media, do not say ‘no comment’ and do not lose your temper with the media.

Talking Point

Augmentative and alternative communication: Empowering people with disabilities

South Africa commemorates National Disability Rights Awareness Month annually between 3 November and 3 December. The Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) at the University of Pretoria (UP) plays an important role in addressing communication difficulties encountered by individuals with physical challenges or persons with disabilities.

Stories

Turn it down! Your music is damaging your hearing

Through his research, Prof Vinck has already been instrumental in the passing of legislation regulating sound exposure at music festivals in Belgium. He feels very strongly that awareness.

Story

Exploring the early origins of language

The ability to speak is often taken for granted and it is only when that ability is lost, that the true extent of our dependence on language as a method of communication is realised.

Story

'Tell and be heard'

Violence against individuals with complex communication needs very often remains undisclosed. Unfortunately this unhappy state of events is sustained by various contributing factors such as the fact that the individuals often do not have the means of communication to disclose what happened to them.