I don't speak clearly

LegacyUser

Hi everyone

I have a problem. Everytime I speak I tend to speak quick and unclearly, so that often people cannot make out what I'm saying. They say I sometimes tend to 'mumble' my words.

When I speak, it doesn't sound to me that I am mumbling or speaking clearly. But I have heard myself in recordings etc. and I know what people are talking about. Hell, sometimes I can barely make out what I am saying myself!!!

Is there a way I can improve my speaking. I want to be a good speaker when speaking to people. I know the obvious answer that springs out here is to speak slowly and clearly. But when I do that it doesn't sound natural etc.

I know this must be possible, because when I was younger and I used to be unable to pronounce S's properly, I think I used to hiss or something, not sure. But in elocution I was given a few exercises to do like saying rrrr-sheep, and I've never had the problem since

Does anyone know of any ways to help stop my problem
I'm sorry if this sounds stupid, it's hard to explain

Thanks

Miss Fluff

You should probably think about going for some more elocution lessons, it would really help.

k-a-t-e

Dont know about proper exercises but just before you speak take a deep breath. It gives you thinking time, and because your lungs are full you dont have to rush out what you're saying.

Also believe it can be a confidence thing in that you dont really believe that people want to hear your opinion etc

bluedolphin

Hey, I did a communications class before in which public speaking played a big role. I guess one of the biggest things to recognise is that some people are public speakers and others are not; it's not a big deal.

However, in saying that there are ways to improve your public speaking skills. For starters, if you have a speech or presentation, practise it out loud in front of a mirror and say each word to a tempo set by a metronome. To begin with, set it at a very slow tempo and only say your next word on the beat; you can gradually speed it up until you reach a reasonable speed that can be understood without going too quickly. Get a friend or someone you're comfortable around to help you realise an appropriate speed and practise with the metronome.

If it's a confidence issue addressing a group can be daunting. There are a couple of 'tricks' to help overcome this. Firstly, in a group, human nature subconsciously picks up if someone is not confident, and some people may subconsciously exploit this through non-verbal communication such as their posture, facial expression, etc., which you then sub-consciously pick up and thus lose even more confidence: vicious circle! To prevent this, stand with one leg slightly further ahead than the other and your foot pointing towards your audience; your other leg then slightly back and your other foot perpendicular to the first. This gives you a solid ground which prevents you from 'rocking' back and forth from one foot to the other.

With your hands, avoid putting them in pockets as this gives the illusion of trying to shy from your audience; but at the same time don't over-use them; until you are comfortable speaking, perhaps hold a pen between your two hands at mid-chest level to occupy them and not distract you.

When you are speaking to your audience, it might help not to look at them in particular, but focus slightly above their heads and to a wall behind; it will still look like you're making eye-contact but without being intimidating for you. Also, try to engage all of your listeners by continuously looking around the room instead of focusing on one person.

Lastly, try to plan what you're going to say first in your head; if someone asks you a question give yourself a moment to think it through by responding, 'that's a good question there' or 'I think there are many answers that need to be looked at but primarily I think...' Those extra few seconds will allow your brain to process what is being asked and formulate a structure for your answer.

Really, speaking in front of people is all about practise and gaining confidence in yourself. I don't know if you're in college or anything, but maybe consider joining the debating society - even just to see how public speaking is done if you don't feel able to stand up just yet.

Google speaking tips as well; I know there are some good resources I just can't think of the sites off-hand. Best of luck!

TomMc

Although it takes a bit of courage and is a bit unusual at first, actually listening to the sound of your own voice when you are speaking, will refine your speech somewhat, over time. Otherwise, naturally when you know what your saying in your mind (already), you tend not to listen to the actual sound of your voice itself.

farva

I have a similar mumbling problem to yourself. My parents were always telling me to speak slowly and distictly, and my mates were always giving me stick like "we can't understand you without your chalk board?" and "get him a pointing wand we don't know what your saying", but I've found that after I've been made aware of it I kinda got over it, I think that my problem was / is down to laziness. I'm quite concious of it now so I just tend to make an effort to speak more distinctly and I'm fairly sure its gone now.

LegacyUser

Thank you for the replies

My problem isn't really public speaking as such. (I probably shouldn't mention this as it confuses the problem but I've been told by people that I am actually very good at speaking in front of a large audience etc. I do acting and star in lots of roles, many of them leads. I never have trouble speaking distinctly then. It's just when I am talking to friends or my parents)

I think what TomMc said above is true for me. My mind knows what I want to say, so my mouth just goes off into an unconscious blabber!
Also what farva is describing sounds dead on as well