Why Do People Stammer?

By Daily Graphic

All of us have met people who stammer or stutter. Such people should be treated with understanding, but unfortunately, there are many, including “entertainers, who think this is a subject for humour.

Stammering or stuttering occurs when the organs of a speech has certain spasms, so that words suddenly can't be articulated and there is a pause in the speech. This is often followed by a repetition in rapid sequence of a particular sound at which the stoppage occurs.

There are many degrees of stammering. In some cases, it's only a slight inability to pronounce certain letters or syllables with ease. In extreme cases, the muscles of the tongue, throat or face—and even those connected with breathing—are involved in the spasms.

Normal speech, which most of us carry on without even thinking about, is quite a complicated procedure. The most amazing kind of co-ordination is necessary in the larynx, cheeks tongue and lips. When this co-ordination is not done with enough precision, the result is stammering.

Stammering shows itself before the age of four or five. When it develops, it may be due to some physical disorder or emotional disturbance.

In some cases, it seems, stammering may be overcome by instruction in reading and speaking slowly and deliberately, carefully pronouncing each syllable
.

When feeling a tendency of stammer, the person should also be taught how to regulate respiration during speech. Sounds or combinations of sounds that present special problems should be carefully studied, and the defect may be largely overcome by series of graduated exercises in reading.

In any case, the treatment should be done by experts in the field, and the emotional basis of stammering requires serious attention, too.

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