Which of the following does NOT typically characterize aphasia?

The choice of fluent speech as not typically characterizing aphasia is based on the understanding of the different types of aphasia. While some individuals with aphasia might exhibit fluent speech, especially in cases like Wernicke's aphasia, overall, aphasia is often characterized by either impaired comprehension or difficulties in language production. Fluent speech, in the broader perspective, may suggest that the speech output can flow well, but the content may not be meaningful or appropriate to the context.

In contrast, impaired comprehension is a hallmark feature of many forms of aphasia; individuals may struggle to understand spoken or written language. The inability to produce language, known as non-fluent aphasia, is also a significant characteristic where individuals have difficulty constructing sentences. Difficulty in word retrieval or finding words is another common symptom, indicating challenges in accessing vocabulary and speaking fluently.

Thus, stating that fluent speech does not typically characterize aphasia highlights the complex nature of language impairments observed in this condition, where not all types result in fluent speech.