Speech Disabilities through Cultural Narratives: An Anthropological Analysis of Social Dynamics and Lived Experiences

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the rate, underlying causes, and social constructions of speech problems in Pakistan, with a focus on how these factors affect diagnosis, acceptance, and treatment. The study uses an ethnographic approach, is founded on in-depth interviews with community members, parents, and speech therapists, as well as academic research. The impact of culture on experiences of speech disorders was investigated using thematic analysis. The study draws attention to common but often overlooked conditions, such as stammering, hearing-related speech delays, and communication challenges, in the context of intellectual disabilities. Affected people are often mistreated or kept hidden because families are unaware of the problem and feel ashamed. Initiatives are delayed due to ignorance, cultural stigma, and miscommunications. According to the primary findings, the biggest obstacle is ignorance, which leads to delayed diagnosis, little family support, and underuse of therapeutic services. This ignorance also contributes to social isolation and reinforces harmful cultural beliefs. The results underscore the need for early diagnosis, culturally sensitive therapeutic approaches, and greater public awareness in order to improve the quality of life for individuals with speech and communication disorders in Pakistan. In order to incorporate speech therapy services into schools and community health systems, future research can examine cultural narratives unique to a given region, evaluate the effectiveness of awareness campaigns, and create policy recommendations.

Keywords: Speech disability; cultural stigma; communication disorders; therapy access, institutional support