Abstract :
Background of the Study: The article emphasizes the importance of acknowledging linguistic diversity in palatographic evaluations within clinical settings. It highlights the distinct phonetic variations of the "G" consonant in the Tamil language compared to English, demonstrating the necessity for customized assessment tools and phonetic indexes to accurately evaluate and accommodate these differences.
Aim & Objective: To examine the influence of Tamil phonetics on the fabrication of complete dentures and to use palatogram as a method for evaluating the phonetic impact on complete denture fabrication in Tamil-speaking patients.
Materials and Methods: The study involved ten completely edentulous denture wearers. These dentures were fabricated and assessed for phonetic influences using specific Tamil phonetic sounds: SH, N, CH, K, and G. The primary focus of this article is on the phonetic sound "G," evaluated using the word "Jeevan." The phonetic evaluation was conducted through the palatogram method.
Results: The study demonstrated that the palatograms from all edentulous patients showed significant variations in their palatographic patterns. These patterns tended to be more palatolingual differing from the velar palatographic pattern observed with the English consonant "G."
Conclusion: The study emphasizes that relying exclusively on English norms may not adequately capture the intricacies present in other languages. Therefore, the development of specific palatographic indices for each language is essential for precise evaluations and meeting the requirements of diverse patient populations. This approach aligns with healthcare principles of linguistic and cultural competence, ultimately enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment effectiveness.
Keyword :
Phonetics, Palatogram, Tamil, Prosthesis, Denture, Completely edentulous