Many people feel insecure because of their language disorders, whether it is bliss or an inability to articulate words, and these can affect every aspect of life. Believe it or not - especially if you've been dealing with this problem for years - know that you can eliminate or at least improve your flaw with some pronunciation exercises and some great confidence boost. Always seek professional advice from a speech therapist, such as a speech therapist or speech therapist for more information.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Dealing with Language Disorder Alone
Step 1. Get some phonetics books or recordings of spoken Italian
Spend two or three hours each day practicing pronouncing words correctly, spelling out sentences, and articulating words well. Make a note of those words or phrases that you have a hard time saying.
A modern approach is to use technology. There are applications that you can download on mobile and tablet, which are able to "listen" to what you say and then give you feedback. For example, if you have an Android device, you can search the Play Store, or the App Store if you have an Apple device
Step 2. Read aloud
Choose a few phrases, short stories or poems from a school textbook (or any other book you like) and read aloud. This way you can pay attention to the sound and movements of the muscles you engage when you say each word and at the same time you don't have to worry about making up words to say.
Step 3. Record your practice sessions
Use a portable recorder or speak through the microphone of a stereo or portable device. This way you have the ability to check your exercises and track your progress. Practicing correct pronunciation, articulation, and diction is challenging work, but the effort will pay off. You will feel very proud when you have improved a lot and listen to your first exercise session again.
Step 4. Take your time
Speaking slowly may not be viewed favorably by some people, but if you pay close attention to pronunciation and speak slowly, then you will be able to express yourself correctly despite your difficulties. Actually it is not necessary to speak too slowly; just say the words at a pace that works for you and the listener. It's better to keep a steady pace than to talk too fast, especially if you want to send an important message with your speech.
Part 2 of 4: Using the Body to Improve Speech
Step 1. Maintain good posture
Speaking depends on the physical mechanisms of the body, as well as on verbal factors, such as inflection. If you keep your back bent and shoulders hunched, you are not allowing enough air to pass through to put pressure on the diaphragm or to pass through the larynx. The best public speakers and speakers often maintain correct posture when speaking, which includes:
- Belly in;
- Chest out;
- Shoulders relaxed;
- Straight back;
- Feet firmly on the floor.
Step 2. Support your speech with your diaphragm
When you assume the correct position, whether standing or sitting, the voice does not come directly from the larynx, but from the diaphragm. Also, by relaxing your shoulders you reduce the pressure on your larynx, which allows you to speak in your natural tone. If you keep your feet firmly on the ground, assume a stable upright posture to support your body when you speak.
Step 3. Practice breathing with your diaphragm
Sometimes language difficulties, such as stuttering, are due to anxiety and a nervous state. Before speaking in front of an audience, practice taking deep breaths to calm down and relax your body so that you get into the right state of mind and speak correctly.
Sit comfortably and assume an upright posture. Take deep breaths through your nose. Place your hand on your stomach to feel it expand like a balloon when inflated. Hold your breath and then slowly release it, feeling your abdomen retract with your hand. Repeat this exercise before a public talk to relieve stress
Step 4. Show security
Another great benefit of correct posture is that it makes you feel and look confident when speaking, whether you have a challenging formal speech or a simple chat over lunch. Correct posture increases self-confidence and lets your interlocutors know that you know what you are talking about.
Part 3 of 4: Getting medical help
Step 1. Get examined by an experienced language therapist
This professional (speech therapist) is able to properly diagnose your speech problem and identify its causes; later he can decide which are the best therapeutic initiatives for your specific case in order to correct the defect and lead you to speak correctly. He will also be able to tell you how long you will need to undergo speech therapy, which you will need to follow regularly to heal well. This specialist can treat speech disorders in both children and adults.
- It can help you correct speech disorders. He will be able to tell you which aspects are particularly problematic and will help you correct them. Private speech therapy sessions are not cheap, although for particularly severe cases public health care could be provided to ensure basic services.
- To use the word correctly and effectively, there is no alternative therapy to learning and exercising. Take advantage of every opportunity that the specialist offers you to speak, practice and review correctly the way you pronounce and articulate words.
Step 2. Talk to a speech therapist or psychologist
These professionals can help you overcome language difficulties if the cause comes from emotional problems or learning difficulties. This type of therapy is very helpful if you need to break your silence and need to talk about your problems, frustrations, or personal drama. The sessions may help you manage your anxiety and learn how to deal with it effectively so that you can speak correctly.
Step 3. Put on the orthodontic appliance
If you have misaligned teeth, you may have difficulty pronouncing some words due to blesity. Most malocclusions are corrected through the appliance, which allows you to pull, push and adjust the individual teeth in order to correct the closure of the dental arches. Often, however, these devices can cause speech errors, especially when the springs, bands and wires are adjusted every month.
- Every time your dentist adjusts your braces (or even your prosthesis) you need to get used to talking and eating appropriately. It might even be a little painful at first, but remember not to overdo it or you could injure your mouth.
- Most braces are worn for orthodontic purposes, although some are worn for purely aesthetic reasons. These are usually quite expensive devices and you may have to pay for them in installments or take out private health insurance to be able to afford them.
- Children and adolescents usually do not like to wear braces, because they are often derided by their peers and referred to as "iron mouth" or "tin face". However, today it is still the best way to correct a defect or blurring due to misaligned teeth.
Part 4 of 4: Assess the Disorder
Step 1. Check to see if there may be any physical problems causing your ailment
Features you present at birth or physical injuries can lead to pathologies that limit your ability to express yourself. Most of these problems can be corrected with proper medical treatments and speech therapy exercises.
- Cleft lip and cleft palate were among the leading causes of speech difficulties until they could be cured with surgery. Nowadays, children born with these defects can undergo reconstructive surgery and are followed by a multidisciplinary team of operators who help them correct the way they eat, speak and assist them in language development.
- Malocclusion occurs when the dental arches do not close properly. Usually the disorder is corrected with orthodontic braces, although in some cases surgery is required. Affected subjects may speak with a blissfulness, emit a whistle while uttering a few words or even mumble.
- Neurological problems caused by accidents or brain or nerve tumors can also lead to a speech defect called dysprosodia. This disorder consists in the difficulty in giving the speech the timbre and emotional characteristics such as inflection and emphasis.
Step 2. Assess if the problem is due to a learning disability
Dyslexia or other learning disabilities can prevent a person from learning to speak correctly. Children suffering from this pathology often experience speech problems, although they can be overcome through adequate speech therapy.
Step 3. Pay attention to whether your speech difficulty is due to emotional problems
Those who have experienced traumatic experiences often develop this type of disorder, such as stuttering. The death of a family member, a bad accident, or being the victim of a crime often affects a person's ability to speak clearly.
Step 4. Find out if your pronunciation problem is permanent
In some cases it can be, especially if the cause is a neurological disorder. In other situations, however, it may be due to not having been trained or instructed to speak clearly and communicate effectively. If you or your child have not been taught to express yourself properly at school or at home from an early age, you may end up with a language defect over the years. In general, however, this type of problem can be overcome.
Step 5. Find out if the disorder is genetic
In some cases, some people suffer from language difficulties due to genetic causes. In fact, studies have found that there are greater chances of speech and pronunciation problems appearing among members of a family where this defect is already present. In other words, if both parents and one sibling have a speech disorder, the other sibling is also more likely to suffer from it.
Advice
- Welcome a well-delivered speech. Look forward to this moment and accept and celebrate any improvement, even a small one.
- Try to speak slowly and pronounce each word correctly, this is also a way to try to overcome the disorder.
