Is Spoonerism a Speech Disorder?
What is Spoonerism?
Spoonerisms are a type of speech error in which the initial sounds or letters of two or more words are swapped or mixed up completely. Most people have made this type of speech error in their lives. In some cases, individuals may produce spoonerisms purposely to be funny. In others, it may be accidental or subconscious.
The term spoonerism is named after a 19th-century Oxford scholar named Reverend William Archibald Spooner. He was known for his verbal mix-ups during lectures. Some of these mix-ups were thought to be accidental; however, others may have been for comedic relief.
Examples of spoonerism
Spoonerisms are often funny, nonsensical phrases.
For example:
- “Better Nate than lever” instead of “Better late than never”
- “Blushing crow” instead of “Crushing blow”
- "Fall my cone" instead of "Call my phone."
- "Tease my ears" instead of "Ease my tears."
- "Wave the sails" instead of "Save the whales"
- “Go and shake a tower” instead of “Go and take a shower”
- “Belly Jeans” instead of “Jelly beans”
Is spoonerism a speech disorder
Spoonerism is not a formal or specific speech or language disorder that is recognized in the medical or speech therapy community. However, if an individual is unable to prevent frequent instances of spoonerisms, it can be an indication that they may benefit from time with an experienced speech and language pathologist.
Spoonerisms often occur when the brain’s speech planning system misfires, preparing the speech sounds slightly out of sequence. These speech errors can be entertaining and often happen spontaneously, especially when a person is speaking quickly or is distracted. In many cases, they are harmless and not a cause for concern.
Almost everyone makes these slips occasionally, especially when speaking quickly, under stress, or while multitasking. The key is to understand when a spoonerism is a harmless error and when it may signal something more serious.
While spoonerisms are usually a simple slip of the tongue, they can also highlight the complexities of speech and language production. For individuals facing speech and language challenges, particularly those affecting sound production or phonological awareness, spoonerisms may reveal areas where targeted speech therapy can help improve clarity and fluency of speech.
While frequent spoonerisms are not necessarily a sign of specific communication challenges or conditions, they can indicate a need for support from an experienced speech and language pathologist.
At Great Speech, our online speech therapy is designed to help individuals of all ages overcome a variety of communication challenges, enabling them to thrive in all aspects of their lives and feel confident in their abilities. If you think that you or a loved one might benefit from speech therapy, getting started is quick and easy - simply schedule your free introductory call today!
What causes a spoonerism
Research suggests that a spoonerism results from a temporary glitch in how the brain organizes and sequences speech sounds. Typical causes include the following:
Rapid Speech - The brain may send overlapping signals to the speech muscles when we speak quickly. This can cause the swapping of speech sounds.
Distracted or divided attention - Talking while multitasking increases the likelihood of spoonerisms. This is due to the attention and motor planning becoming misaligned.
Stress of fatigue - The brain’s processing efficiency drops when tired or stressed. This can lead to speech errors such as spoonerisms.
Difficulties with phonological processing - Those who struggle with sound sequencing or awareness can experience more frequent spoonerisms. This may sometimes appear alongside reading difficulties and language disorders.
Neurological Conditions - In some cases, frequent spoonerisms or other types of language errors can be a symptom of neurological conditions such as aphasia. Aphasia affects language production and comprehension.
Language or Speech Disorders - Individuals with language or speech disorders may experience spoonerisms more frequently. This is due to challenges with sound production, articulation, or phonological awareness.
Developmental Language Delays - Frequent spoonerisms may suggest a developmental language delay or phonological disorder in children. This is especially true if other speech and language issues are present.
To summarize, many spoonerisms are caused by ordinary cognitive hiccups. However, persistent spoonerisms can point towards speech or neurological processing challenges.
What is the difference between a malapropism and spoonerism?
A common misconception is that spoonerism is the same as malapropism; however, they are quite different.
Spoonerism - Swapping the initial sound of two or more words. For example, “runny babbit” instead of “bunny rabbit”. Spoonerisms are errors at the sound level.
Malapropism - Using an incorrect word that sounds similar to the intended word. For example, “He’s the pineapple of politeness.” instead of “He’s the pinnacle of politeness.”. Malapropisms are word-level errors.
So, for those wondering “What is it called when you mix up words when speaking?”, the answer is highly dependent on the kind of mix-up. If you are swapping sounds, it's a spoonerism. If you are mixing up entire words with ones that sound similar, it's a malapropism.
Is spoonerism a form of dyslexia
Another common misconception is that spoonerism is a form of dyslexia. This is incorrect.
Spoonerism - An error in speech production.
Dyslexia - A learning disorder that affects reading, spelling, and phonological processing. This includes the ability to identify and manipulate sounds in words.
They are both very different; however, there can be a connection. Individuals with dyslexia often have weaker phonological awareness. This means that they may struggle with sound manipulation. Because spoonerism involves swapping word sounds, a person with dyslexia may experience more than someone who does not.
Can Speech Therapy Help?
Occasionally, spoonerisms are completely normal. However, consider speech therapy if you or someone you know:
- Produces frequent spoonerisms that interfere with the ability to communicate.
- Has difficulty with word retrieval or sound sequencing.
- Struggles with reading or spelling, in addition to the spoonerisms.
- Experiences a sudden increase in speech errors after an illness or injury.
Speech therapy can help by targeting the underlying language processing or phonological issues that may contribute to frequent occurrences of spoonerisms. While occasional spoonerisms are generally harmless and can happen to anyone, persistent and frequent spoonerisms can indicate a phonological processing disorder or other speech issues that might benefit from speech therapy.
How can speech therapy help?
Phonological Awareness - Speech therapy can improve phonological awareness. This is the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds in language. Speech therapy can help individuals avoid sound swaps and improve their overall clarity of speech.
Sound Production Practice - A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can help individuals practice producing specific sounds and phonemes correctly and in the right sequence through targeted exercises. This can help reduce the occurrence of spoonerisms.
Articulation Practice - SLPs can work with individuals to improve their articulation of sounds and words while focusing on clear and accurate speech.
Self-Monitoring - Speech therapy can help individuals develop self-monitoring skills to recognize when spoonerisms occur and make corrections during speech.
Slow and Deliberate Speech - Practicing slower, more deliberate speech can help individuals reduce errors in language production, including spoonerisms.
Cognitive Exercises - Cognitive exercises can help improve language processing and the organization of thoughts. This leads to more precise speech.
Repetition and Practice - Through repetition and practice of specific sounds, words, and phrases, speech therapy can help individuals improve their speech production and reduce the frequency of spoonerisms.
A speech-language pathologist can assess speech and language abilities and create a personalized therapy plan to address the underlying causes of frequent spoonerisms. Contact us to schedule your free introductory call today!