Mumbling and enunciation

Chade on 21/6/2008 at 05:30

I used to stutter occasionally from my middle teenage years through to about twenty.

I did speech therapy for a bit, which taught me quite a lot about speaking clearly in formal settings but did next to nothing for my day-to-day stuttering.

A few years later, once it started to become a problem at work, I went to another speech therapist who told me that stuttering was quite common among "intelligent young men" (this was a polite way of pointing out that I was a geek) and just did some breathing/meditation exercises with me. Helped clear it up in a couple of weeks.

Ghostly Apparition on 21/6/2008 at 17:31

My wife mumbles sometimes when she talks. Except according to her, I never listen to her. :weird:

Tonamel on 22/6/2008 at 05:28

Quote Posted by Hewer

The stump thought the skunk stunk,

Wouldn't that be "The stump thunk the skunk stunk"?

Starrfall on 22/6/2008 at 15:10

(http://www.toastmasters.org/MainMenuCategories/WhatisToastmasters/HowDoesItWork.aspx)

Although I can't vouch for it, and if shyness is part of the problem even going to a meeting might be hard.

I didn't learn how to really speak up until I started coxing, so it could be as simple as just finding a hobby or something that forces you to speak differently than you normally do.

hopper on 22/6/2008 at 15:32

Quote Posted by Starrfall

coxing

Is that a real word or a typo? My online dictionary didn't know it and suggested coaxing, boxing and foxing as alternatives...
Edit: Nevermind, found it.

demagogue on 22/6/2008 at 18:51

I've been to Toastmasters meetings with an American/Japanese group (half the speeches in English by Japanese, half in Japanese by Americans, usually), but the basic schtick is the same.

They give some guidelines, then there are different types of speech situations you go through in front of the group, increasing in formality, and everyone gives you notes.

You could do about the same thing in front of a friend you trust, or even a mirror, but I suppose for people who really like structure to things like that it's works pretty well. It's mostly about putting together a professional speech, though ... outlining it, presentation, posture, eye contact ... not really for day-to-day just talking.

37637598 on 22/6/2008 at 19:49

You just need to hang around some personal trainers with really loud voices... And let some of it rub off on you.

Kolya on 22/6/2008 at 23:35

ALSO TRY WRITING IN ALL CAPS!

irving_forbush on 23/6/2008 at 00:12

ToastMasters is a VG idea...

I might also suggest a classic: Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss. Get it & practice reading it out loud. If that doesn't force you to concentrate on your enunciation, I recommend a speech therapist (seriously).

rachel on 23/6/2008 at 07:46

Quote Posted by Jennie&Tim

Wasn't there a famous Greek orator who practiced speaking with pebbles in his mouth until he could speak clearly? I think he was supposed to have a stutter.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demosthenes) Demosthenes