Foreign accent syndrome: Best practice, theoretical issues and outstanding questions

We conclude this special issue with some reflections on (i) the range of ‘best practise’ methods now used in studies of FAS, (ii) the theoretical issues raised by such studies, and (iii) outstanding questions that deserve to be addressed in future research. In doing so, we concur with Blumstein and Kurowski that: “in one sense, the label used to characterize the syndrome, the foreign accent syndrome, is unfortunate, since it suggests in its name an ‘explanation’ that is untrue” (Blumstein & Kurowski, this issue). Explanation, on a case-by-case basis, is the research objective. The papers in this special issue have amply demonstrated the value of studying the foreign accent syndromes (with emphasis on their plurality)—in terms of both theoretical and practical (i.e. research and clinical) issues. The domain is rich in outstanding research questions; the most under-investigated of which pertains to the FAS patient's own speech—and accent—perception abilities.