Unable to start question

[Matt]

Hi everyone.

Sometimes, when I am asking someone a question that starts with wh- (eg. "Where are we going?"), I find that I am unable to actually say anything. I have it firmly fixed in my mind what I am going to say, and my mouth opens, but I can't eke the first word out. If I instead decide to say "Aaa-where are we going?" or make some other noise first, then there is no trouble.

Does anyone else have a similar problem? What's going on here?

Apart from this, other speech troubles I have are minor: occasionally I speak before I've fully decided what I'm going to say, and end up starting one sentence and finishing another, it must be quite un-intelligible to whoever is listening! Or I can repeat a syllable when I'm unsure about what I'm saying (it's as if my brain hasn't decided if that is actually what it wants to say just yet). Also, I mumble due to not moving my mouth/lips enough, unless I consciously think about speaking clearly.

[dave]

I have a hard time asking and answering questions. I find ways to get around "what".

You could use an easy onset. Say Ahhhwhat or Ahhhwhere. Or say Heywhere are we going.

I find H words the absolute easiest to say. So you could think of different ways to say what you are going to say.

I have a lot of difficulty asking and answering questions.

When I meet new people. I say "Hi, my name is ___. Who are you."

Because if I'm asked my name I'm not going to be able to say it and I unfortunately avoid what.

Instead of asking people "whats your name".
I say "who are you".

Instead of saying "why".
I say how come.

Plus from worrying about not being able to use "what" you develop anticipatory anxiety making it 1,000+ times harder to say.

I sympathize with you and it sucks.

[dritan]

TRy sliding on the first sound of the first word of your question

Dritan

[jekintel5]

TRy sliding on the first sound of the first word of your question

Dritan

i have the same condition too. Can u teach me in detail what is sliding the first sound? can u provide more information about it, it u have any related video or audio would be best. thankyou

[dritan]

Sliding is the process of prolonging the first sound or the word. You have to be careful because often it comes naturally to slide the first vowel that is not the same.
Examples:
HHHHHHiro
GGGGGGirl
AAAAAAmerica
UUUUUUnited
BBBBBBig

You have to start with sliding sounds like: AAAAAA, GGGGGG, HHHHHH, UUUUUU.

You will find that some sounds are easier then others to slide, but so is everything in this world so get use to it and try to get the thing right. The major problem is with B, D, P and K, but I’m sure you will be fine and learn how to do it.

I can tell you as I say to all my guys and gals that sliding is the only trick (I call it a trick) that take 100% of stuttering of your mouth, if you do it right and if you can maintain the beat.

I have found that sliding, coordinated with costal breathing is the only sure “cure” for stuttering.

I have also realized that costal breathing and sliding are the only techniques that do really work and do not make you sound unnatural in your speech.

When I start my counseling with my friends I teach them the first day sliding and costal breathing. This take off the stuttering like magic and they are flying. The next day they come back and say that it is not working anymore.

What I haven’t told them the first day is that it is not easy. You have to teach your self a new way of speaking.

Ask if you want to know anything else.

Search for sliding on the net and you will find a lot of reading.

Take care

Dritan

[emily445455]

Hi Matt, I have that problem sometimes too. :) Sometimes I avoid it, like other do (like saying "how come" instead of "why", etc) and sometimes I just stutter on it...I'm trying to become more overt. :)

[Nicholas]

I begin a lot of sentences with 'So' because of this problem, but it has become a habit more than anything now. I'm trying to lessen my use of it.

[nate]

Thats very strange!
I have the same problem with "wh" words. Most of the time, if I'm not careful the air just "wh"ooshes out without any sound coming out. Then I end up with empty lungs trying to talk with that teensy bit of air still left in there. Then I have to take another breath and Whoosh one more again.
Yo!
Nate

[jekintel5]

Sliding is the process of prolonging the first sound or the word. You have to be careful because often it comes naturally to slide the first vowel that is not the same.
Examples:
HHHHHHiro
GGGGGGirl
AAAAAAmerica
UUUUUUnited
BBBBBBig

You have to start with sliding sounds like: AAAAAA, GGGGGG, HHHHHH, UUUUUU.

You will find that some sounds are easier then others to slide, but so is everything in this world so get use to it and try to get the thing right. The major problem is with B, D, P and K, but I’m sure you will be fine and learn how to do it.

I can tell you as I say to all my guys and gals that sliding is the only trick (I call it a trick) that take 100% of stuttering of your mouth, if you do it right and if you can maintain the beat.

I have found that sliding, coordinated with costal breathing is the only sure “cure” for stuttering.

I have also realized that costal breathing and sliding are the only techniques that do really work and do not make you sound unnatural in your speech.

When I start my counseling with my friends I teach them the first day sliding and costal breathing. This take off the stuttering like magic and they are flying. The next day they come back and say that it is not working anymore.

What I haven’t told them the first day is that it is not easy. You have to teach your self a new way of speaking.

Ask if you want to know anything else.

Search for sliding on the net and you will find a lot of reading.

Take care

Dritan

hmm.........can u provide some example sound audio of slidding word ? without a sample of it will be hard to slide the correctway . thank

[dritan]

I'll try to record something this weekend and give you the link where to download

[bwelling]

I've asked my friends to not to finish sentences for me, but are welcome to help me start them. (that's where I need most help)

bw