What condition is characterized by the loss of ability to comprehend or speak normally?

Aphasia is the condition characterized by the loss of the ability to comprehend or express language, either written or spoken. It often results from damage to the language centers of the brain, which can occur due to strokes, head injuries, or neurological conditions. Individuals with aphasia may struggle with speaking, understanding language, reading, or writing, depending on the specific type of aphasia they experience.

In contrast, dyslexia specifically involves difficulties with reading, including problems with phonological processing or decoding words, rather than a comprehensive loss of language ability. Amnesia refers to memory loss, not specifically related to language comprehension or speech. Anomia is a subtype of aphasia that specifically involves difficulty in naming objects and finding words, but it does not encompass the broader range of comprehension and speech issues that aphasia does. Therefore, aphasia is the most accurate term for the condition described.