From: James Griffin
Date: 10/15/00
Time: 6:52:44 PM
Remote Name: 203.2.218.1
Dear Freida,
I really do think it's the reading rather than the audience that has helped - although, obviously, reading to the children is unpressured and relaxed compared to other contexts in which one might read.
My children are 10 and 7 years old and over the years I've read them books ranging from beginning reading books and picture books to A A Milne, Dr Seuss, C S Lewis, Tolkein, Treasure Island & many places in betweem.
In the last year, for example, my reading out loud to my son (who is 10) has included the first 3 Harry Potter books and most of The Lord Of The Rings. Over the past 2 or 3 years I've read the Hobbit twice plus various selected extracts on more occasions.
When I relect on this, several things come to mind.
Firstly, I don't do any character voices or big dramatic interpretations, as I've never felt comfortable with attempting to speak in voices not my own (see my reply to Caroline Bowen's question re my paper for more detail on this).
I just read the text and try to use appropriate coversational and descriptive tones but it's all pretty low key.
I do focus on rhythm and tone and enunciation. I get very impatient with writing I see as pedestrian and uninspired because it doesn't allow me to immerse my self in the music of language.
So maybe that's where the benefits lie - if one can relax into the languge and just read it for its own sake, concentrating on the rhythm, the music and the poetry. Sometimes it does get quite trance-like - and yes, sometimes I do that on purpose to in an attempt to induce sleep!
In this context, the audience is probably important - because one's kids are likely to want to hear one read for extended periods - plus, one is likely to find the time to read to them - but I do believe it could be done alone if one were on a quest to practice reading.
In reasonably relaxed periods of our lives I might read for between 30 and 60 minutes by the time I read to both children - but I would stress that I need to be engaged by the books and the writing or else it becomes a chore & I can't read for as long.
I also read them poetry and sometimes sing songs.
Re why I've never sought speech therapy in adult life - well, I've never thought of it. When I was a kid the idea was never discussed with me & I suppose I always thought of stuttering as something I'd have to overcome myself.
I also thought of it as a childhood affliction that carried over into adult life - so I guess I saw it as a given.
Also, I have a stubbornly independant streak that makes me sceptical of formal learning environments (for me) - except, interestingly, when it comes to learning the techniques of putting bat on ball - I'm happy to seek professional help for my golf swing for example!!! - but then, I'm also happy to spend hours at the driving range in the somewhat zen pursuit of trying to put the professional golf advice into practice - so what does that tell us about the connection between advice and achieving change!?
I should say that I don't think I ever consciously devised my own program to overcome stuttering. I think it was more that I had a desire to speak fluently in public performance situations so I put myself in situations where I'd have to learn how to do so.
Cheers,
james