What the patient says becomes incomprehensible to those around him either because sentences are unconnected to each other, or else because there seems to be no point to the stories told, or else because topics seem to switch with great frequency. Words may take on special meanings in schizophrenia either because they trigger private associations or because attention is paid to individual sounds rather than hole words. Certain words may be avoided because they sound harsh or evil. Sometimes intonations are changed for similar reasons. Sometimes language is used as an incantation to ward off threats.
Difficulty making sense to others is a symptom of the acute phase of the illness.
It is almost impossible to communicate with patients when they are in this phase and it is very frustrating to family. Try to communicate non-verbally. Sometimes communication through writing works, as thoughts tend to be more organized in writing. When talking to others, however, do not speak as if the patient were absent. Do not tease or mimic him.