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From: Chris Roach
Date: 10/5/01
Time: 5:29:19 PM
Remote Name: 152.163.197.67
Gunars, great insight to several key issues! Thanks for your thoughtful questions and ideas.
I wanted to focus on a couple. Yes, I've had my speech videotaped and recorded. AND I was consistently FULL of stuttering traits, however, I think the key to why I still feel like I could convince individuals (through tricks)that I wasn't necessarily a stutterer was in attitude. You hit the nail on the head when you referenced the concept of dignity and competence.
I think the "threshold" that ordinary people conceive stuttering is significantly connected to that individual stutterer's attitude and perception about his or herself. I believe that people orchestrate their reaction to our speech based on how WE react to our speech. Given my elongations, minimal silent blocks, easy repetitions, I'd STILL be considered a stutterer, I think, if I chose to react timidly, with reservation and uncertainty and obvious discomfort and shame. Conversely, a severer stutterer with more distinct and obvious traits might not be construed predominantly as a PWS by the listener if he or she is confident, competent, etc.
When I had substantial "control" over my speaking situation in the corporate workplace, I'd speak slower, more authoritatively and confidently with conviction. Consequently, I didn't have many, if any, secondary traits as you suggested. In my normal conversation in the workplace, they're noticeable, however, I work like the dickens on espousing that perception of competence and poise.
Again, the threshold is our attitude. THAT we can control, regardless of how severe or mild the degree of stuttering. THAT'S what will strike the listener first and foremost.
Gunars, thanks again for some very stimulating concepts!
Chris