How Do I Stop Slurring Words?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. 1 – Train your mouth muscles. One tool to speak more clearly is to train your mouth muscles so that you enunciate better. …
  2. 2 – The power of intention. …
  3. 3 – Practice tongue twisters. …
  4. 4 – Tongue warm-ups. …
  5. 5 – Use a mantra to boost your confidence.

Why do I fumble my words when I speak?


Your nerves make things worse

. If you’re anxious about how you look or sound while speaking—especially if you’re in front of a lot of people—that’s one more bowling pin your brain has to juggle. This leads to even more linguistic slip-ups, Preston says. But you can put a stop to these occasional, ill-timed stumbles.

What is the cause of slurred speech?

Common causes of speech disorders include alcohol or drug poisoning, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and neuromuscular disorders. Neuromuscular disorders that often cause slurred speech include

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson’s disease.

How do I get better at speaking clearly?

  1. Avoid skipping words. …
  2. Speak long phrases or full sentences. …
  3. Make sure you pronounce even small words like “a” and “the.” If, like most people, you normally pronounce the word “a” as “uh,” keep doing so. …
  4. Avoid running words together.

Why do I slur my words a lot?

Dysarthria often causes slurred or slow speech that can be difficult to understand. Common causes of dysarthria include nervous system disorders and conditions that cause facial paralysis or tongue or

throat muscle weakness

. Certain medications also can cause dysarthria.

Can dysarthria go away?

Depending on the cause of dysarthria, symptoms may improve, stay the same, or get worse slowly or quickly. People with ALS eventually lose the ability to speak. Some people with Parkinson disease or multiple sclerosis lose the ability to speak.

Dysarthria caused by medicines or poorly fitting dentures can be reversed

.

Can lack of sleep cause slurred speech?

Sleep deprivation mimics the effects of drinking alcohol—you may experience slurred speech and uncontrolled reflexive movements of the eye called

nystagmus

. You may also develop a slight shakiness or tremor in your hands.

What is it called when you mix up words when speaking?


A ‘spoonerism

‘ is when a speaker accidentally mixes up the initial sounds or letters of two words in a phrase. The result is usually humorous.

What causes Word finding difficulty?

Primary word-finding difficulty may occur as

an isolated language disturbance

or may occur as part of a more extensive cognitive or behavioural syndrome. Secondary word-finding difficulty occurs when a deficit within another cognitive domain interferes with the function of a more or less intact language system.

Why do we say um when speaking?

Linguist Herbert Clark of Standford University explains that people often use “um” and “uh” in a “very particular,

deliberate way

,” with the phrases acting as “conversation managers” to signal to others that, in some way, you’re having trouble communicating what you want to say.

How can I speak clearly and confident?

  1. Practice. The key to doing anything well is doing it often and speech is no exception. …
  2. Don’t articulate a statement as a question. …
  3. Slow down. …
  4. Use your hands. …
  5. Throw away caveats and filler phrases. …
  6. Stay hydrated. …
  7. Express gratitude. …
  8. Insert smiles into your speech.

How can I talk clearly without stuttering?

  1. Slow down. One of the more effective ways to stop a stutter is to try to speak more slowly. …
  2. Practice. Reach out to a close friend or family member to see if they can sit with you and talk. …
  3. Practice mindfulness. …
  4. Record yourself. …
  5. Look into new treatments.

What is the word for not speaking clearly?

When we

mumble

, we don’t form out words clearly. Mumbling is the opposite of speaking clearly. Some people mumble because they lack confidence. Others might mumble because they’re tired or not feeling well.

How does dysarthria start?

Dysarthria happens

when you have weak muscles due to brain damage

. It is a motor speech disorder and can be mild or severe. Dysarthria can happen with other speech and language problems. You might have trouble getting messages from your brain to your muscles to make them move, called apraxia.

What medicine can cause dysarthria?

  • Anti-seizure medicines.
  • Barbiturates.
  • Benzodiazepines.
  • Antipsychotic agents.
  • Botulinum toxin (Botox)

Is dysarthria a disability?

Dysarthria can occur

as a developmental disability

. It may be a sign of a neuromuscular disorder such as cerebral palsy or Parkinson’s disease. It may also be caused by a stroke, brain injury, or brain tumor.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.