Foreign Accent Syndromes

‘Accent is central to identity, so when accent is altered by brain damage or other causes, the effect on the individual is profound. Foreign Accent Syndromes offers a unique account of the human experience in such cases. Ryalls and Miller provide a thoughtful introduction and scientific overview of Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS), then step back to let people with FAS tell their stories. This is essential reading for people whose lives have been changed by FAS, for health professionals, researchers, and anyone who has ever been intrigued by this unusual disorder.’ – Karen Croot, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Australia

‘Foreign Accent Syndromes is written in an engaging, highly readable style and will be of interest not only to the scientist and the clinician but also to the non-scientist who wants to learn about this interesting and unique syndrome.’– Sheila E. Blumstein, Department of Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, USA

'From the perspective of a hospital based research cognitive neuropsychologist with over 20 years FAS experience, I find this little gem of a book to be stimulating, accurate and heart-rending. Interesting in its own unique right, it will also provide insights for people with FAS and their families, clinicians, and scientist-researchers. No audience is excluded. Students and the lay-reader will be amongst its fans. The professional accuracy of Ryalls and Miller combines effortlessly with the descriptive biographical accounts, all of which colour the unfolding natural history of foreign accent syndrome. This is a solid-gold contribution to the literature on FAS, and I have no hesitation in recommending it. It is hugely accessible to a lay readership and will stimulate and inform health professionals as well.'– Jennifer Gurd, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford

'Foreign Accent Syndromes is the first comprehensive and yet accessible guide to this intriguing phenomenon. With the unique addition of personal testimonies, which allows patients to speak in their own voices, this book is a must for all researchers and clinicians interested in this fascinating and confounding disorder.'– Yves Joanette, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montréal, Canada

‘Between the covers of this book we find a spirited and knowledgeable professional account of FAS, and a sensitive portrayal of the inner perspectives of those who experience it.’– Wolfram Ziegler, Institute of Phonetics and Speech Processing, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany

'Reading this as someone with an interest but little prior knowledge in the area, I found this a rounded introduction to research and experiences of FAS. Diagnosed individuals and affected families, as well as psychologists and speech and language workers will gain much from the tales and concise research described.'- Emma Norris, The Psychologist

‘Accent is central to identity, so when accent is altered by brain damage or other causes, the effect on the individual is profound. Foreign Accent Syndromes offers a unique account of the human experience in such cases. Ryalls and Miller provide a thoughtful introduction and scientific overview of Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS), then step back to let people with FAS tell their stories. This is essential reading for people whose lives have been changed by FAS, for health professionals, researchers, and anyone who has ever been intrigued by this unusual disorder.’ – Karen Croot, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Australia

‘Foreign Accent Syndromes is written in an engaging, highly readable style and will be of interest not only to the scientist and the clinician but also to the non-scientist who wants to learn about this interesting and unique syndrome.’– Sheila E. Blumstein, Department of Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, USA

'From the perspective of a hospital based research cognitive neuropsychologist with over 20 years FAS experience, I find this little gem of a book to be stimulating, accurate and heart-rending. Interesting in its own unique right, it will also provide insights for people with FAS and their families, clinicians, and scientist-researchers. No audience is excluded. Students and the lay-reader will be amongst its fans. The professional accuracy of Ryalls and Miller combines effortlessly with the descriptive biographical accounts, all of which colour the unfolding natural history of foreign accent syndrome. This is a solid-gold contribution to the literature on FAS, and I have no hesitation in recommending it. It is hugely accessible to a lay readership and will stimulate and inform health professionals as well.'– Jennifer Gurd, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford

'Foreign Accent Syndromes is the first comprehensive and yet accessible guide to this intriguing phenomenon. With the unique addition of personal testimonies, which allows patients to speak in their own voices, this book is a must for all researchers and clinicians interested in this fascinating and confounding disorder.'– Yves Joanette, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montréal, Canada

‘Between the covers of this book we find a spirited and knowledgeable professional account of FAS, and a sensitive portrayal of the inner perspectives of those who experience it.’– Wolfram Ziegler, Institute of Phonetics and Speech Processing, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany

'Reading this as someone with an interest but little prior knowledge in the area, I found this a rounded introduction to research and experiences of FAS. Diagnosed individuals and affected families, as well as psychologists and speech and language workers will gain much from the tales and concise research described.' - Emma Norris, The Psychologist