Comparative study on velopharyngeal function in different dialect-speakers in China

AbstractF Objectives: The To determine whether difference in the characteristics of velopharyngeal function during production of sentence between the putonghua and Cantonese-speakers. METHODS: 33 normal putonghua-speakers and 31 Cantonese-speakers were selected as subjects. They received the examination of nasopharyngoscopy ,and the frequency of opening of velopharyngeal orifice were analyzed. RESULTS: 1. The frequency of velopharyngeal opening for putonghua-speakers was 35.3%, and in the Cantonese-speakers,it was 44.2%(P=0.001); 2.The Cantonese-speakers exhibiting a moderate velopharyngeal incomptency (VPI) during oral-sentences production, the frequency of VPI was 38.7%; CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of velopharyngeal closure were different between putonghua and Cantonese-speakers. only according to the examination of nasopharyngoscopy, when the patients with speaking-cantonese exhibiting a slight or moderate VPI after first cleft palate surgery, the second pharyngoplasty may not be necessary. It should be appropriate to combine the examination of perceptual ratings of nasality and speech and nasopharyngoscopy.