Changes in frequency of occurrence of the following linguistic variables in recovery from aphasia due to left temporal lobe lesions are analyzed in text and graphs: (1) quantity of verbalization, (2) syntactic structure: subject-verb-object vs. topic-comment, (3) syntactic complexity, (4) nouns and verbs, (5) morphology, (6) anaphora, and (7) intonation. Two groups of aphasics with left temporal lobe lesions were evaluated on the basis of a conversation and a picture description task. Each group was then placed into a different therapy program. The results illustrate the following: (1) The analysis of linguistic data collected from aphasics must take into account the issue of static vs. evolving language systems. Temporal studies encompassing periods of recovery are more accurate indicators of actual linguistic deficits. (2) Aphasics with temporal lobe lesions undergo a recovery process that tends to follow a pattern of increasing syntactization equivalent to the patterns of language acquisition in children and evolving systems such as pidgins into creoles. (3) a combination of sequencing training and the use of picture story sequences in aphasia language therapy is a more effective approach to remediation than more traditional techniques involving abstract drills and test questions. (Author/JK)