Betty Alfred <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
[snip]
>
> Are people patient if they don't understand something you've
> said?  I guess I'm just wondering what the worst thing is about
> having speech difficulties -- if it's the speech itself, or the
> people you interact with during the course of the day.  I guess
> this question is for anyone who wants to answer.
>
> Betty (I'm changing my name to curious George.  At least nobody
> will call me boobs anymore).
>
>
Hi Boobs,

Speech is the most common form of communication by far.

Having problems communicating verbally is the MOST frustrating
part of CP. We all want society to accept us, appreciate us, but
if we can't "talk" to society, how are they to know there is
anything there to appreciate.

This is a particular problem in social situations, since they
often occur in "noisy" environments - pubs, discos,
bowling-alleys. In a group social setting you find sub groups
form where the norm is for pretty unstructured conversations -
everyone chips something into the conversation - this is the most
difficult time. You may think of the wittiest, sharpest, bon mot
to interject into the flow of the conversation. Several things
can go "wrong", noone understands what you say, the whole
conversation stops, and you have to keep repeating it, changing
the words here and there in the hope someone "gets" it, by which
time the original context and whatever nuances you hoped to
impart has been completely lost and its no longer funny at all.
Or, worse, the person closest, catches what you say, repeats it
themselves, and happily receives the plaudits of laughter.

Yes, it is frustrating, and there is no way around it. Just
because I can be hard to understand does not give me a right to
expect everyone to make the effort to listen.

--
Deri James