S ub-vocalization is a natural process that occurs when we read. This is when we hear the sound of a word in our minds, as it is read. It is also known as silent or internal speech, since the words are not mouthed as they are being read.
Unlike reading out loud, which involves lip movement, sub-vocalization involves the movement of your larynx, also known as your voice box. Since no sound is actually made during sub-vocalization, it often goes unnoticed, even by the reader.
Why We Sub-Vocalize
When we first learned to read, we were taught to read things phonetically. We first learned the sound that each letter of the alphabet made, and then we learned the sounds that the letters made together as words. Our teachers and parents encouraged us to read out loud as practice, and when we have children, we teach them to do the same. This phonetic way of reading, or reading out loud, which was very useful in childhood, has a tendency to linger as we grow older. Unbeknownst to most of us, this habit can actually be counter-productive.
Shortcomings of Sub-Vocalization
While sub-vocalization works well for children and people who are just learning to read, it is no longer necessary for adult readers. After having read things for many years, you are able to recognize familiar words just by looking at their shapes, and similarly, you know what they mean just by looking at them. As an adult, when you sub-vocalize as you read, you are placing an extra burden on your cognitive resources.
You are able to recognize familiar words just by looking at their shapes. Click To TweetThis effectively slows down your reading speed, and it occurs because sub-vocalization involves several processes and body parts. For example, first you will see the word with your eyes, then you hear or “whisper” the sound in your mind, and subsequently your brain understands what it means. However, as an accomplished reader, you no longer need auditory assurance to associate a word with its meaning.
Reading Speed When Sub-Vocalizing
When you have the habit of sub-vocalizing as you read, it means you read as fast as you speak. This means your reading speed will be about 150 words per minute, a reading rate that can be considered slow. Your reading speed doesn’t improve if you happen to be a fast talker either. This is because even people who speak at a faster rate than usual are able to say between 200 to 300 words a minute. In truth, with practice, you are able to become an excellent reader, reading up to 700 words or more per minute!
With practice, you are able to read up to 700 words or more per minute! Click To TweetSo think about it, do you make it a habit to say words in your head as you read them? If you do, perhaps it’s time to explore the benefits of kicking that habit and learning to speed read. If you’d like to learn more about sub-vocalization, as well as how to eliminate it when reading, you should check out reliable speed reading programs and workshops like those offered Soundway Efficient Speed Reading™, which are based on 40 years of research and development and guaranteed to double (or more!) your reading speed.
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