LINGUISTIC COMPETENCE AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY : A CROSS-CULTURAL MODEL

The present paper discusses the possible role of linguistic competence in determining the manifest psychopathology of schizophrenia. It is hypothesised that the linguistic competence may be a significant determinant of psychopathology and may explain the differences in the manifest signs and symptoms, course and prognosis between the various sub-types of schizophrenia and may explain the cross-cultural differences in the phenomenology and outcome of the disease. It is proposed that research should be undertaken in measurement to linguistic differences to test out the above hypotheses.