Subvocalization in my Writing
I subvocalize when I read. I didn’t know this was even an issue until I heard about the problems it causes for me when I try to speed-read. Recently, I realized that I also subvocalize when I write. This should have been an obvious next step, but it took me a few years after the first realization to come to the second. The funny thing is that I always knew that I did this. I just never consciously thought about it.
I don’t really see it as a problem, but it is interesting to think about it. When people are writing in TV and movies they almost always have a voice over so the audience can know what is being written or read. This may be part of the reason that I continue to subvocalize when reading or writing. It is probably just a part of a more complex puzzle, but it definately reinforced my acceptance of subvocalization while no one had ever said anything against it.
Anyway, I subvocalize when I write. I wonder if someone could notice this from reading my writing. I also wonder if it makes me a better or worse writer at all. I think that if you read my poetry it would be pretty obvious that I subvocalize when I write because the sound of the words is so important to my poetry. I feel that they demand to be read aloud. Of course, this is a bit pretentious, but I really do think that some poetry just has more appeal if it is read aloud, whereas other poems are fine without it, because they don’t make use of sound.
Alright, when you start to bore yourself with your writing it is time to stop writing — even if there is no real point or conclusion.
Posted by David under Uncategorized |
I am a subvocalizer as well….doing so in both reading and writing, and probably even more so when I write. I like to hear myself talk…so subvolcalization is just another way I can do that I guess.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with it. Yes, it makes speed reading impossible, but I enjoy reading, every extra long moment it takes to do it..maybe it’s just a bias, but I really do enjoy my style.
Not to mention, subvocalization whiele writing surely makes what you write more enjoyable when read aloud. It was written with the auditory impacts in mind.
Anyways, from one subV to another, love ya!
Comment by JennyJ — February 10, 2005 @ 1:21 pm
Well if you don’t mind reading at under 350 wpm then subvocalization is right for you then. The problem with it in reading is that you will then only be able to read as fast as you can talk. I personally don’t want to read “Introduction to Tort Law” at 200wpm when i can have even better comprehension reading it at 1500 wpm.
You’re not skipping anything either. You’re still taking in the same amount of information and it’s still just as enjoyable.
The problem is not the preference but more people’s hesitation to change and desire to things that are known by them. So for many they have a problem not subvocalizing because it’s new to them and they don’t understand it. So many will simply automatically take a position against it. I’ve seen this in the seminars that I’ve taught at. It’s actually quite interesting.
Comment by Jessica — February 14, 2005 @ 10:52 pm