MAD Colloquium: Boston Naming Test: Cultural adaptation and relevance in Chinese speakers in New Zealand

Abstract

The Boston Naming Test (BNT) is a widely used clinical tool for detecting mild word-retrieval difficulties in individuals with aphasia, brain injury, and dementia. Originally developed in American English (Kaplan, Goodglass & Weintraub, 1983), it has been adapted into various languages, including a 30-item Chinese version (BNT-C; Cheung et al., 2004), used in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. While studies show the BNT-C effectively distinguishes between impaired and unimpaired individuals, concerns remain about the cultural relevance of certain items.

This study examines the performance of Chinese migrants in New Zealand on the BNT-C. Sixty-seven adults from China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore completed a language background questionnaire and the BNT-C. Factors such as age, gender, education, years in New Zealand, country of origin, and language dominance were analysed. Results indicate that country of origin and language dominance significantly affect naming performance, while age, gender, education, and years of residence do not. Performance was comparable to monolinguals in overseas studies. Cultural fit issues—such as with the item igloo—persist, though improved performance on items like harmonica may reflect local exposure. The study concludes with reflections on the cultural and linguistic suitability of the BNT-C for New Zealand’s Chinese population.

Please contact garcia@leibniz-zas.de for Teams link!

Code of Conduct for ZAS events: The ZAS is committed to fair, respectful, and professional interaction at its events. Therefore, please observe the Code of Conduct for this event.