Have you ever had a problem with stammer (also known as stutter)? Probably you know at least one person suffering from it. But there is a fact that many famous people all around the world have or had in the past problem with stammer.
A person suffering from a stammer has trouble speaking without saying the same
sounds in words repeatedly. It can also prevent the person from speaking at all in some cases.
Words beginning with “w”, “m” or vowel sounds are often the hardest to pronounce for someone with a stammer. Many people believe a stammer is caused by anxiety or lack of self-esteem. Stammer causes people to feel insecure. Speech therapy can help a lot to correct a stammer.
Lisp
A lisp is a speech impediment which usually causes the sufferer to have problems pronouncing the letter “s” and it is usually caused by some physical problem. As a result, it often comes out as a“th” sound. So, instead of saying “sea”, they mightsay “thea”.
Rhotacism
Rhotacism refers to problems pronouncing the letter “r”. People with this condition usually say the“r” sounds as a “w” sound (so they would say “I’m weally happy” instead of “I’m really happy”).
Dysprosody
Actually, this isn’t very common at all, but it’s worth mentioning. A person with dysprosody will start to speak in a foreign accent, often after suffering a head injury
Famous people who suffered from stammer
I am going to mention several well-known people who had a problem with stammer. Famous Hollywood actors Julia Roberts and Bruce Willis are just some of the many who have successfully solved the problem of stuttering.
The star Bruce Willis claims it was his acting career that helped him overcome the problem .
Julia stuttered in her childhood and during her teenage days, and acting helped Bruce to start talking normally. Marilyn Monroe also belongs to the group of celebrities who stuttered.
Known for his super cool monologues and smooth, deep voice, Samuel L Jackson (1948) is one of the last people you’d imagine with a speech impediment. Although the actor says his stammer is “annoying”, he has learnt to control it.
Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) – the man who discovered the law of gravity– also had a stammer .
Charles Darwin (1809-1882) – the man who was known for the theory of evolution – suffered from several health problems and also had a stammer. It is said that he would speak with a stammer when he became confused in conversation, and he often had trouble pronouncing words that begin with “w” .
If you know some other people who overcome a problem with stammer let us know. It is not such a big problem, sometimes it can cause problems and shame but it is something we can correct.
Photos and some information taken from google.com and magazine Learn Hot English
Stuttering can be a consequence of childhood, my friend was beaten by her father and she stuttered for a long time out of fear