Final answer:
The inability to comprehend written or spoken language is termed receptive aphasia, typically caused by damage to Wernicke's area in the brain's left hemisphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inability to understand written or spoken words is known as receptive aphasia. Receptive aphasia, or Wernicke's aphasia, is a condition where patients lose the ability to comprehend language received, whether it is spoken directly to them or presented in written form. Damage to Wernicke's area in the left hemisphere of the brain typically leads to receptive aphasia, inhibiting a person's understanding of language. On the other hand, expressive aphasia results from damage to Broca's area and impairs the ability to produce language but does not necessarily affect language comprehension.