This advice-column-style blog for SLPs was authored by Pam Marshalla from 2006 to 2015, the archives of which can be explored here. Use the extensive keywords list found in the right-hand column (on mobile: at the bottom of the page) to browse specific topics, or use the search feature to locate specific words or phrases throughout the entire blog.
Sliding Jaw on /R/
By Pam Marshalla
Q: I have an elementary client who figured out how to say R all by herself, but she shifts her jaw to one side to accomplish it. I have tried to get her to stop lateralizing the jaw, but then she can’t produce R. Should I worry about this?
I would not try to take her away from what she has achieved on her own. She is proud of it!
Instead, let her keep producing the R with the jaw lateralization for now. Stabilize the acoustic quality like this for weeks/months. Then, down the road and when you feel that the time is right, have her look in the mirror and decide for herself if she wants to speak with her jaw sliding to the side for the rest of her life.
The Effect of this Problem
There is a political talk guy on cable news who does this –– Dick Morris. He slides his jaw to the left on every R he makes. It is soooooo distracting and takes away from his message. It is not “wrong” per se, because the acoustic quality of R is there, but the elocutionists never would have stood for it. You might have your client watch this fellow online. He is everywhere on YouTube.
Minor visual elements like this are very distracting to the listener. An SLP can see what the person is doing wrong. But the average person simply thinks that the speaker talks funny and therefore must not be very smart.
A Message to Celebrities
By the way, if you are Dick Morris and are reading this, CONTACT ME! I can help you with this. You are far too smart of a guy to be burdened with this minor speech error.
And the rest of you celebrities with minor but very distracting speech errors… You know who you are… CALL ME!
And all you young female actresses in films, television, and commercials who are speaking with that awful GLOTTAL FRY… STOP IT! It’s not cute or sexy. You are ruining your voice. You will have very little voice left by the time you are in your fifties. You depend on your voice for your livelihood, for goodness sakes.
Get thee to a voice specialist! Many excellent speech-language pathologists and vocal coaches can help you find your real voice so you can speak like the grown intelligent women that you are.
Dick Morris had cancer on his tongue and does this to be able to make the sounds that have been affected by the surgical removal of part of his tongue. I find your stupid comment more disturbing than his jaw slide. You might have done a little research (like a quick Google search) before offering him help that he probably wouldn’t take. I know you’re the last person I’d go to.
You are so right.. Sometimes people can be so insensitive and ignorant….
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Thank you for clarifying Dicks condition. I’ve always liked him and have great respect but while watching him today I realized that he’s showing his age and I had difficulty understanding him if I didn’t listen carefully. So I’ll just pay closer attention when he’s speaking. He still adds much information to a conversation. I never knew about his cancer. Again, that’s for the clarification.
I concur this “professional” of not very professional AT ALL. Maybe they’d like to analyze my CAPS?!
Charlotte, I agree. This “professional” is not very professional AT ALL. Perhaps she would like to analyze my CAPS!
Amen! Thanks for stating truth. I’ve wondered but at least realized he’s overcoming a problem with his speech. I didn’t know about the cancer but remember a few years ago he was having extensive dental work done. Probably reconstruction. Seems like a sweet guy and very intelligent 😉
I suspected a dental problem from the start. Didn’t know he had cancer of the tongue
He sounds like he is adjusting to new teeth. L
I too, was unaware of Mr. Morris’ cancer of the tongue. However, I applaud his courage for not letting it deter him from contributing his wisdom and knowledge with his viewers and listeners. Whenever I hear Kamala Harris giggle and cackle throughout an interview, I have to wonder if she has physical impairment, or is just too ignorant and stupid to speak intelligently!
Couldn’t have said it any better! I still give him so much credit for doing what he does best, speaking the news!
Our country is in great need of brave problem solving people to stand for righteousness. Dick Morris is clearly one of those very brave problem solving heros for US pressing on in spite of the cancer that would have shut up a careless and cowardly problem pointer outer like you.
THANK YOU! Not every “defect” needs fixing; some just need compassion.This would certainly be the case for a disease or injury that has disfigured you . ‘ve always admired Mr Morris for his intellect, ‘ll admire him more now for his bravery & fortitude. He goes on camera knowing he no longer looks “his best”. I tend to hide in the house if I have a “bad hair day.” NOTHING BUT RESPECT, DICK!
totally agree … Dick is very courageous to go on TV with his speech impediment. Greta V has overcome her jaw issues for years and been successful. Missing part of your tongue must make it horrendously hard to clearly enunciate. He’s still a gifted writer – one wonders though if he couldn’t write the script and have someone else do the presenting? #hugeDickMorrisfan
To the commenter about Dick Morris. He had cancer of the tongue and they had to remove part of his tongue according to what I have read. I see someone has already pointed this out. He can’t help it. I sympathize because I had extensive cervical neck surgery about a year and nine months ago and have partial paralysis of the 12th cranial nerve which controls speech and swallowing. I had very good diction and my speech is different now. I am well aware of it as I am quite sure he is too. I find it sooooooo annoying when someone does not find out all the facts.
I did not know about his health issue with oral cancer. My apologies but it was out of concern that I asked as I used to see him a lot on tv and never saw that particular issue. I always liked him as a commentator and was hoping it wasn’t serious. Hopefully he is doing better.
Wow, I went here for information, curious about Dick Morris’s speech and SO glad I scrolled down to the comments, where the real information was. Shame on this company for not doing it’s complete research. I’m sure this lack of thoroughness cannot help your business at all….
Such a sweet b gentlemen and smart, let him be!
Thank you for pointing out his issue, I knew there was something wrong but didn’t know what it was, know that I know I can be so much more empathetic to him.