Sunday, May 08, 2011

Learning to Stutter? The King's Speech Film!

If you are a stutterer/stammerer, no doubt you are aware of the multiple-Oscar winning motion picture "The King's Speech" starring Academy Award winner Colin Firth. Much was made over his phenomenal, real-to-life portrayal of King George VI who suffered from a life-long stutter, but who learned eventually to overcome with the help of an unconventional speech therapist. Mr. Firth won the Oscar for his portrayal and from nearly all accounts, the award was well deserved.

It seems, however, that Colin Firth is having trouble shaking the "learned" impediment. As you can read at this link, since wrapping the film and carrying on with other projects, he has found that at times, he finds himself lapsing back into the stammer that he learned for the role. He also indicates that when be thinks about the stammer, the worse he finds that it gets. Quoting from the article, "I guess old habits die hard." You can read the story at this link, which is a different publication.

When I think about it, I can honestly understand how something like that can happen. From what I have read, much of my stutter (I can speak only for myself) is learned behavior...a habitual form of approaching speech. While I maintain that it is an impediment, probably partly genetic and neurological, I believe that I have taught myself bad habits over the years that contribute something to my own condition. For example, when I hear a ringing telephone that I must answer, my stomach muscles immediately contract and seize up in anticipation of having to get out that first word, especially if it a string of words I must emit, such as one must do when working for some company. "Hello, this is Southwest General Hospital, how may I direct your call?" I made that up, by the way.

Perhaps if I were to go through some kind of behavior modification therapy, some of those habits could be unlearned, helping me to be, at least, more fluent in some circumstances. I can't say for sure, I only speak what seems logical to me. Of course, there are many other times when my speech is dysfluent for no apparent reason at all. For example, when I am at home with a family member or loved one and I am completely at ease, there seems to be no habitual behavior associated with my stammer. This indicates, again, at least to me, that much of my impediment is uncontrollable.

I find it beneficial that Colin Firth is such a notable celebrity because that will allow his predicament to be somewhat played out in the public eye where we can all see where it eventually leads. Will he drop the habit on his own, or will be require some kind of speech therapy to overcome it?

Can stuttering/stammering be learned...to the point that one know longer has control over it and requires professional intervention to remedy it? That would be an interesting case for the medical books. What do you think?

19 comments:

carrie pena said...

Excellent posting here people will get lot of information with the help of posted information & topics from this blog. nice work keep it going.

FPGA said...

I have a son, is still small now, but I'm afraid to not imitate my speach when he grow up. I don't want that him to "learn" from me this habitual...It's enough a single stutter in family :(
What should I do? If anybody is in my situation, please let me know how you manage the problem...Thanks!

Unknown said...

I don't think you should worry about your child developing a stutter because of you. Stuttering can run in families according to some professionals, but there seems to be no evidence that anyone can prevent stuttering. The best you can do is to let your child have a normal childhood and support him no matter how he turns out. Stuttering is not fatal and most stutterers have happy, fulfilling lives despite stuttering. Love your child and don't worry about what you can't control. Be well! :)

luckmey said...

Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your site is so cool. I'm impressed by the details that you’ve on this web site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. louis vuitton utah leather

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Blogger said...

Live stuttering therapy chat forum - find help, support, treatment and cure.

Shyamal said...

Thanks for sharing excellent contents. keep it up. i will visit again.Computer Tips

Unknown said...

This is very impressive blog...keep it up

Unknown said...

This is very impressive blog...keep it up

diya said...

A lot of companies have chosen to downsize, and maybe that was the right thing for them. We chose a different path. Our belief was that if we kept putting great products in front of customers, they would continue to open their wallets.
Buy youtube likes

Sep said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I was very impressed by this post, this site has always been pleasant news. Thank you very much for such an interesting post. Keep working, great job! In my free time, I like play game: imgtaram. What about you?

Tim Mather said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tim Mather said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tim Mather said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tim Mather said...

WOW IT is was very impressed by this post, this site has always been pleasant news. Thank you very much for such an interesting post. Keep working, great job! how to open rar files on mac
Also do checkout my site if you want to know

Tim Mather said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tim Mather said...

video marketing for corporate marketing

Florence said...


I started on COPD Herbal treatment from Ultimate Health Home, the treatment worked incredibly for my lungs condition. I used the herbal treatment for almost 4 months, it reversed my COPD. My severe shortness of breath, dry cough, chest tightness gradually disappeared. Reach Ultimate Health Home via their email at ultimatehealthhome@gmail.com . I can breath much better and It feels comfortable!