From one to 1: An analysis of a transcoding process by means of neuropsychological data

Abstract This study investigates how aphasic patients handle quantities in numeral and digital codes. The task consisted of transcoding numbers written in alphabetic code into their digital form. Errors were analyzed with reference to: (i) general structural quantitative parameters (numeral and number lengths…); (ii) general behavioral disturbances (perseveration, serial ordering disorders…); (iii) specific cognitive processes implied in this particular transcoding task. The third approach proved the most powerful; it indicated that systematic errors were produced resulting from the partial and/or inappropriate use of transcoding strategies such as the transcription of each numeral element into its lexical value or the systematic coding of ‘MILLE’ (thousand) and ‘CENT’ (hundred) into one digit, irrespective of their particular lexical/ multiplicand role in the syntactical structure underlying the word order in numerals. The results are relevant to the study of cognitive processes in normal subjects.

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