produced they are formed by pressing the root of the tongue against the soft palate, and not, like d and t by pressing its tip against the gums of the upper incisors. I then direct him to pronounce, after me, the elements, d, g, and t, k, and the syllables da, ga, and ta, ka, thus: d, g; d, g; d, g; d, g; d, g; d, g; d, g; d, g; d, g. tả, kả; tả, kả; tả, kả; tả, kả; tẻ, kẻ; tẻ, kẻ; &c. The object of this exercise is to contrast the substituted sound with the correct one. When this plan does not prove successful, I open my mouth as widely as possible, so that the tip of the tongue cannot touch the gums of the upper teeth, and request the pupil to open his in like manner. I then direct him to pronounce, after me, the following syllables: gả, gả, gà, gỗ ; gẻ, gẻ; gì, gỉ; gỗ, gỗ, gỗ ; gủ, gủ, gủ; gou. kả, kả, bả, hả; kể, kẻ; kỉ, kỉ; kỏ, kỏ, kỏ; kủ, kủ, kủ; kou. åg, ég, ig, òg, úg, oug; âk, êk, ik, dk, åk, ouk. When neither of these schemes proves successful, I request the pupil to press his tongue downwards, and backwards, with his index finger, while I do the same, and pronounce, after me, the syllables in the preceding exercise. This I have never known to fail. My Some children omit the element 2, when it follows d, and the element sh when it follows t; for instance, they pronounce John, aon, and Charles, tarles, &c.* method of correcting these defects is to contrast the false pronunciation with the true one, as in the following exercise: dả, dźả; dả, dâả; dả, dźả; dã, dźđ; dẻ, dźẻ; &c. * J is a compound of d and z in azure; and ch is equivalent to tsh. The v and w are confounded by some perons; for instance, when they would say vine, they say wine, and vice versa. An attention to the proper postures of the mouth, in the production of these elements will soon enable the pupil to correct this fault.* (See pos tures of the mouth, page 28.) The following exercise, founded on the principle of contrast, should be frequently practised by the pupil, in the most energetic manner. vả, wả; vả, wả; vả, wả; vẫ, wa; vẻ, wẻ; vẻ, wẻ; &c. wả, vả; wả, vả; wả, vả; wá, vẫ; wẻ, vẻ; wẻ, vẻ; &c. In correcting faults in articulation, I often find it advantageous to exercise the pupil before a mirror, that may observe the contrast between the movements of his own mouth, and those of mine. he LISPING. Lisping is the substitution of the sound of th for that of some other letter, generally for that of s in sin. Thus the words, sale, send, sight, song, &c., are pronounced thale, thend, thight, thong, &c. The lisper should be told, that, in forming the sound of th, the tip of the tongue is pressed gently against the inner surface of the upper incisor teeth; whereas, in forming that of s, it is placed, in like manner, against the gums of the upper incisor teeth. Hence, to avoid making th for s, the tongue should be drawn back a little, and its point turned upward against the gums of the upper teeth. In the correction of lisping, the following exercise may be practised with advantage: thả, sả; thả, sả; thả, sả; thả, sắ; thư, sẻ; thẻ, thẻ; &c. * A young gentleman recently entered my institution who had many faults in his utterance. Among others was the singular one of pronouncing vw for v: for vine, he said vwine; for vale, vwale, &c. This, as well as the other numerous faults with which his pronunciation was marred, arose from the want of proper instruction upon the use of the organs of speech. The defects of articulation, in which one element Is substituted for another, are numerous; but, as the method of treatment is similar in all, it is presumed enough has been said to enable the teacher to manage them successfully, particularly as appropriate exercises, for most of them, will be found in the practical part of this work. CHAPTER VII. STAMMERING. STAMMERING is a functional derangement of the organs of speech, which renders them incapable, under certain circumstances, of promptly obeying the commands of the will. In a majority of cases, the cause of this affection operates through the medium of the mind. Stammering is cured by a regular course of hygienic elocution. But, as the disease exists under a variety of forms, it requires a variety of treatment. And, as the treatment is medico-elocutional, he who would apply it successfully, must unite the skill of the elocutionist with that of the physician. The idea that nonmedical men are capable of discharging the duties of applying the remedies to complicated complaints of the human body, is a sui generis in logic, and a bane in the practice of the healing art. As a full consideration of the subject of stammering is not compatible with the design of this work; and, as I am preparing for publication another which will treat exclusively of impediments of speech, I shall conclude the present chapter with the following Remarks on Stammering, from a Lecture on Elocution delivered before the American Lyceum, May 6, 1837, by Andrew Comstock, M.D. For the last ten years the author of these REMARKS has been engaged in an investigation of the philosophy of the с human voice, with a view to the formation of a system of just ELOCUTION, and to the discovery of the true means for removing IMPEDIMENTS OF SPEECH IN STAMMERERS. How far he has succeeded in his attempt, is not for him to say. His system is the result of his own reflection and experience; and, as it is founded in philosophy, it is the only true system. The following pages contain the mere outlines of the system. The work itself will be presented to the public as soon as the author's other labours will permit. Stammering or stuttering is a hesitation or interruption of speech, and is usually attended with more or less distortion of feature. This affection presents itself under a variety of forms; but my limits will not allow me to give a particular description of them. I will notice only the most striking. In some cases, the stammerer makes an effort to speak, and all his breath is expelled without producing vocality; in others, the lips are spasmodically closed: these two forms often occur in the same case. Sometimes the stammerer, while speaking or reading, loses all power over the vocal organs, and remains some moments with his mouth open, before he can recover sufficient energy to proceed. In many cases, the stammerer repeats the word immediately preceding the one he is attempting to pronounce, or he repeats, in a rapid manner, the first element, or the first syllable, of the difficult word. CAUSES. The predisposing causes are nervous irritability and delicacy of constitution. The most usual exciting causes are diffidence, embarrassment, a fear of not being successful when about to make an effort to speak, an attempt to speak faster than the vocal organs can assume the proper positions for utterance. Two or more of these causes often occur in the same case. Sometimes the habit of stammering is acquired by imitation. The proximate cause of stammering is a spasmodic action of the muscles of speech. PROGNOSIS. The probability of a cure depends upon the following circumstances: If the stammerer has a cheerful disposition, is distinguished for energy of mind and decision of character, can appreciate the variations of pitch in speech and song, or, in other words, has an ear for music and a taste for elocution, the prognosis is favourable. But if he is of a nervous temperament, subject to inelancholy, irresolute of purpose, incapable of imitation in speaking and singing, the prognosis is unfavourable. TREATMENT. -The stammerer should be impressed with the importance, nay, necessity, of giving exclusive attention to the subject; and he should not be allowed to converse with any one till 'he can speak without stammering. These rules cannot be too strongly enforced. I am fully persuaded of this from my own experience. Several stammerers, who have placed themselves under my care, taking but two or three lessons a week, and attending to their usual avocations, have left me disappointed; while those who have given undivided attention to the subject, have been entirely relieved. True, many are more or less benefited even by occasion ally taking a lesson; but it is very difficult, by any irregular course, to effect a radical cure. The habit of stammering should be arrested at once; for, while it is continued, how is it possible that the habit of speaking correctly can be established? Great pains should be taken to inspire the stammerer with confidence. He should be convinced that his success depends mainly upon his own exertions: that he must pursue the various exercises assigned him with indefatigable zeal, with untiring industry; that he has the same organs of speech as other people, and nothing is necessary to enable him to use them as well, but a conviction in his ability to do so. To think that one can do, gives almost the ability to accomplish-but to think that one cannot do, virtually takes away the ability to do, even where it is ample. Stammering is often continued by the subordinate estimation which the stammerer puts upon himself. He is too apt to consider those around him giants, and himself a dwarf. As this estimation of himself serves to perpetuate his disease, it is clear that its remedy must be found in making himself equal to any: if this mental classification into giants and dwarfs must take place, let the stammerers make themselves the giants, and those around them the dwarfs. The teacher should study the disposition of his pupil: he should persuade him to banish from his mind all melancholy thoughts— in short, he should do every thing in his power to render his pupil cheerful and happy. Various athletic exercises should be resorted to daily, to invigo rate all the muscles of voluntary motion, and diminish nervous irritability. In some cases it may be necessary to have recourse to tonics, anti-spasmodics, bathing in salt water, frictions over the whole surface of the body, &c., &c. Electricity may be used with advantage as a tonic, and also as a means of interrupting the spasm of the vocal organs. The vocal treatment is deduced from the following circum stances: 1. An ability to sing. 2. An ability to speak when alone: 3. And if the stammerer must speak before an audience, the smaller the audience and the farther he is removed from it, the better. |