What is the primary characteristic of aphasia?

The primary characteristic of aphasia is the impairment of language caused by brain damage. This condition affects a person's ability to communicate effectively, influencing various aspects of language, including speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. Aphasia results from damage to areas of the brain responsible for language, typically due to stroke, head injury, or neurological diseases.

When considering the other options, it is important to recognize that aphasia extends beyond mere speech impairment. It encompasses broader language difficulties, which include understanding spoken and written language as well as the ability to form coherent sentences. While individuals with aphasia may face challenges in producing vocal sounds or experience reading comprehension issues, these symptoms are part of the overall language impairment rather than defining characteristics of aphasia itself. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the fundamental aspect of the condition, emphasizing that it is rooted in a broader disruption of language due to brain injury.