Successive phonemic approximation toward a target word. An error consisting in successive phonemic approximation toward a target word. It is seen in conduction aphasia.
Current research is examining the use of both MAE performance and clinical features of the aphasic´s language (e.g. paraphasias in conversational speech, conduite d´approche) in order to provide an MAE differential diagnosis of aphasic subtypes (K. Hamsher, personal communication). In sum, it is hoped that the successful deployment of the MAE in a number of language communities will facilitate direct cross-community comparisons of case and sample data. Regardless of this research goal, clinical use of the English-language MAE does suggest that it is an effective diagnostic instrument requiring a relatively brief (typically under 45 min) administration time.