L’analyse de la compétence dans les conversations entre aphasiques et non-aphasiques: une approche interactionnelle

This article discusses the concept of "competence" and its observability in linguistic practices on the basis of videotaped interactions between aphasic and non-aphasic speakers. Within the framework of an interactional vision on competence, we suggest an analysis of the diversity of the resources mobilized by aphasic participants in the organization of social practices. This paper presents an analysis of the aphasics' conduct that shows how they participate in interaction as competent speakers. Instead of treating them as participants being characterized by a lack of linguistic competences or as speakers simply developing compensatory strategies, this analysis illustrates that the use of some types of sequences (notably repair sequences) is not a resource which is only available to non-aphasic speakers. We aim to show that those fundamental mechanisms for organizing social interaction are also used by speakers affected with aphasia.