Comparison of speech outcome from different languages requires comparable speech material. All speech sounds may be influenced by the cleft condition but only a restricted number may be similar across the languages involved and thereby comparable (Hutters & Henningsson, 2004). In studies of speech outcome following surgical treatment, data based on a restricted number of different speech sounds are sufficient as opposed to data intended for clinical purpose, which need to be more detailed (Hutters & Henningsson, 2004). In addition, the restricted word lists can be used in assessment of children with other language background.
Reference
* Hutters B, Henningsson G. Speech outcome following treatment in crosslinguistic cleft palate studies: methodological implications. Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 2004;41:544–549.