Stammering, its cause and cureBogue, Benjamin Nathaniel
Science
Stammering, its cause and cure
Bogue, Benjamin Nathaniel
Stuttering
Voice is produced by the vocal organs much in the same manner as sounds
are produced on a saxophone or clarinet, by forcing a current of air
through an aperture over which is a reed which vibrates with the
sounds. The low tones produced by the saxophone or clarinet result from
the enlargement of the aperture, while the higher tones are produced by
contracting the opening. Variations of pitch in the human voice are
also effected by elongation and contraction of the vocal cords with
comparative slackness or tension, as in the violin.
It would be of no value, and, in fact, would only serve to confuse the
layman, to know the duties or functions of the various organs or parts
entering into the production of speech. Suffice it to say that in the
"manufacture" of words, there are concerned the glottis, the larynx,
thorax, diaphragm, lungs, soft palate, tongue, teeth and lips. In the
production of the sounds and the combination of sounds that we call
words, each of these organs of speech has its own particular duty to
perform and the failure of any one of these organs properly to perform
that duty may result in defective utterance of some form.
BRAIN CONTROL: It must be borne in mind that for any one or all of the
organs of speech to become operative or to manifest any action, they
must be innervated or activated by impulses originating in the brain.
For instance, if it is necessary that the glottis be contracted to a
point which we will call "half-open" for the production of a certain
sound, the brain must first send a message to that organ before the
necessary movement can take place. In saying the word "you," for
instance, it would be necessary for the tongue to press tip against the
base of the lower row of front teeth. But before the tongue can assume
that position, it is necessary that the brain send to the tongue a
message directing what is to be done.
When the number of different organs involved in the production of the
simplest word of one syllable is considered (such as the word "you"
just mentioned), and when it is further considered that separate brain
messages must be sent to each of the organs, muscles or parts concerned
in the production of that word, then it will be understood that the
process of speaking is a most complicated one, involving not only
numerous physical organs but also intricate mental processes.
When all of the organs concerned in the production of speech are
working properly and when the brain sends prompt and correct brain
impulses to them, the result is perfect speech, the free, fluent and
easy conversation of the good talker. But when any or all of these
organs fail to function properly, due to inco-ordination, the result is
discord--and defective utterance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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