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From: Lynne Shields
Date: 15 Oct 2009
Time: 10:21:40 -0500
Remote Name: 76.215.118.209
Bob, I understand that Marilyn Monroe was, indeed, someone who stuttered. Some reports suggest that she used the breathy voice she is famous for as a way to deal with her stuttering. I don't know if that is true or just conjecture. There are a number of actors who stutter. While some of them report that they sometimes stutter while acting, in the case of film acting, a scene can certainly be re-shot if stuttering occurs. I would guess that this is what was done if she happened to stutter while saying a line. Actors rehearse extensively before a performance of any kind, so I suspect that they may stutter less due to their having practiced their lines so frequently--there is no novelty in the lines, and the motor programming is highly learned from many repetitions. Regarding Winston Churchill, he probably rehearsed speeches prior to giving them, so the practice effect may have helped him stutter less. I am not aware of whether or not he used any therapy tools to increase his fluency. Regardless of whether or not one stutters during a public presentation, one can be a very effective public speaker. A good speech, well delivered is not entirely dependent on fluency. It also depends on how you engage with the audience, the way you carry yourself, and what you have to say. So, someone who stutters may be just as effective (or more effective) than a speaker who does not stutter. There are quite a few individuals who stutter and are members of Toastmasters (and the equivalent organizations outside of the U.S.), many of whom do quite well in competition. I hope this answers your question. Best regards, Lynne