Stuttering

Paper Summary:

This paper highlights the important topic of stuttering and its effects on individual stutterers, from a sociolinguistic point of view. It looks at the negative stereotypes and prejudices that are associated with people who stutter and those that attempt to conceal their stuttering. The paper analyzes whether attempting to conceal stuttering is in fact effective or if it adds to the negative stereotypes that surround stutterers.

Table of Contents:
Ignorance and Generalization
Backfiring of Concealment Strategies

From the Paper:

"In sum, the attempts to disguise or avoid stuttering may contribute to an even worse overall perception of the stutterer. Listeners are not easily fooled by concealment strategies, and they tend to react more favourable to speech "blocks, repetitions and prolongations" than to attempts of disguise (Parry)."
"Even if the stutterer does get away with his attempt, the outcome might be far from desirable. He may confirm the popular stereotype that sutterers are "shy, nervous, anxious, tense, fearful, introverted, quiet or reticent (Acton and Hird 505; Heite)," or maybe even worse, create himself a social identity that is associated with terms like arrogance and disinterest."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Acton, Ciaran and Myra J. Hird. "Toward a Sociology of Stammering." Sociology 38.3 (2004): 495-513. 29 June 2007. <http://www-md2.csa.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu>
• Crichton-Smith, Isobel. "Communicating in the Real World: Accounts From People Who Stammer." Journal of Fluency disorders 27.4 (2002): 333-352. 3 July 2007. UMUC library services. <http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu>
• Heite, Louise. "Are People Who Stutter Truly Oppressed?" Minnesota State University Mankato. 22 October 2006. 28 June 2007. <http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad9/papers/heite9.html>
• Parry, William D. "A New Outlook on Stuttering." The Valsalva Stuttering Network. (2000). 1 July 2007. <http://www.valsalva.org/outlook.htm>
• Parry, William D. "Being Your Own Best Advocate." The Valsalva Stuttering Network. (2000). 1 July 2007. <http://www.valsalva.org/advocate.htm>

More papers on Stuttering:

• Analytical Essay # 136786 : "How Stuttering Affects Language"
• Term Paper # 125334 : "Stuttering"
• Term Paper # 125001 : "Stuttering"

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