The Ts, The Ss, and the Tss
Went back to the speech session yesterday on campus in Brooklyn. This time they had me sit in front of a mirror, which had a video camera behind it. At first I thought oh damn, why did I wear this red lip gloss? Second I thought great, I'm going to have to look at the lower third of my face twist about as I make "s" sounds, while the rest of me flinches away. They asked me if I ever try to hide it, and I said yeah, just when I'm at school or work and want to make a good impression. At home or with friends I don't really make an attempt to refine it. They noticed I was trying to refine it in front of them, and I think I was so in the habit of doing that that I was doing it right there and then.
Then they put some gloves on and pulled out a stick, and made me move my tongue in every possible direction. My tongue is another part of the problem. I have a small tongue, but in proportion to the rest of my mouth, it's a little big for it. And when I form sounds with a "t" or "s" in them my tounge sits in the back of my mouth instead of resting right under the roof of my mouth. Then she asked me if I can point my tongue outside my mouth, and said that that's what I need to do behind my front teeth in order to make a nice "s" sound.
I have homework to do three times a day until I see them next week: Make a "t" sound with my teeth closed, while also cupping my tongue and bringing the tongue forward towards the back of my top teeth, all while not clenching my teeth. So I have two challenges; one is I have trouble cupping my tongue, or even rolling it. However, when they asked me to take a sip of water and hold it on my tongue, they could see that I could do it. I just have to learn how to do it when I'm being verbal. My other problem is that I used to have TMJ where I had trouble closing my jaw without clenching my teeth. I've always known that it's bad, but I still do it, so I have to break that tendency while learning how to pull my tongue forward more.
So I was making "t" sounds, and then I had to make "s" sounds with my front teeth closed. The "s" made me sound like Darth Vader, or the devil girl in "The Exorcist" when she was lying in a possessed trance. It was more breathy but not "s"-ish. And then combining the "ts" was really hard while keeping the back of my teeth open. While I'm not close to making the "s" or "ts" sounds yet, I'm just working on the "t" ones until I see them next week.
On to something else....
Got to see "Cars" Tuesday. Susie and I really wanted to see it sooner, but it wasn't in the UK when I was there. I don't think it still is yet, even though they probably have "Pirates." It was sooooo adorable, and I thought I'd see it just to give her a heads up on if it's worth seeing. So many animated movies have been cranked out lately, and many of them look crappy, but this one happened to be really cute.
You Are Cookie Monster
Misunderstood as a primal monster, you're a true hedonist with a huge sweet tooth.
You are usually feeling: Hungry. Cookies are preferred, but you'll eat anything if cookies aren't around.
You are famous for: Your slightly crazy eyes and usual way of speaking
How you life your life: In the moment. "Me want COOKIE!"
The Sesame Street Personality Quiz
Your 2006 Summer Anthem Is
Dani California by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
"She's a lover, baby, and a fighter
Shoulda seen it comin' when it got a little brighter
With a name like "Dani California"
Day was gonna come when I was gonna mourn ya
A little loaded she was stealin' another breath
I love my baby to death"
What's Your 2006 Summer Anthem?
Can I say that I had such a crush on Anthony Kiedis when I was little? And that he also has a lisp?
Well, maybe the lisp came from too much cocaine back in the day. But I loved him, lisp and all.
And while we're on the subject of drugs....
Your Personality Is Like Heroin
You're capable of the highest highs and the lowest lows.
Addicted to feeling good, you'll do almost anything to avoid pain.
People seek you out, even though you can be quite moody. They're hooked on you!
What Drug Is Your Personality Like?
Then they put some gloves on and pulled out a stick, and made me move my tongue in every possible direction. My tongue is another part of the problem. I have a small tongue, but in proportion to the rest of my mouth, it's a little big for it. And when I form sounds with a "t" or "s" in them my tounge sits in the back of my mouth instead of resting right under the roof of my mouth. Then she asked me if I can point my tongue outside my mouth, and said that that's what I need to do behind my front teeth in order to make a nice "s" sound.
I have homework to do three times a day until I see them next week: Make a "t" sound with my teeth closed, while also cupping my tongue and bringing the tongue forward towards the back of my top teeth, all while not clenching my teeth. So I have two challenges; one is I have trouble cupping my tongue, or even rolling it. However, when they asked me to take a sip of water and hold it on my tongue, they could see that I could do it. I just have to learn how to do it when I'm being verbal. My other problem is that I used to have TMJ where I had trouble closing my jaw without clenching my teeth. I've always known that it's bad, but I still do it, so I have to break that tendency while learning how to pull my tongue forward more.
So I was making "t" sounds, and then I had to make "s" sounds with my front teeth closed. The "s" made me sound like Darth Vader, or the devil girl in "The Exorcist" when she was lying in a possessed trance. It was more breathy but not "s"-ish. And then combining the "ts" was really hard while keeping the back of my teeth open. While I'm not close to making the "s" or "ts" sounds yet, I'm just working on the "t" ones until I see them next week.
On to something else....
Got to see "Cars" Tuesday. Susie and I really wanted to see it sooner, but it wasn't in the UK when I was there. I don't think it still is yet, even though they probably have "Pirates." It was sooooo adorable, and I thought I'd see it just to give her a heads up on if it's worth seeing. So many animated movies have been cranked out lately, and many of them look crappy, but this one happened to be really cute.
You Are Cookie Monster
Misunderstood as a primal monster, you're a true hedonist with a huge sweet tooth.
You are usually feeling: Hungry. Cookies are preferred, but you'll eat anything if cookies aren't around.
You are famous for: Your slightly crazy eyes and usual way of speaking
How you life your life: In the moment. "Me want COOKIE!"
The Sesame Street Personality Quiz
Your 2006 Summer Anthem Is
Dani California by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
"She's a lover, baby, and a fighter
Shoulda seen it comin' when it got a little brighter
With a name like "Dani California"
Day was gonna come when I was gonna mourn ya
A little loaded she was stealin' another breath
I love my baby to death"
What's Your 2006 Summer Anthem?
Can I say that I had such a crush on Anthony Kiedis when I was little? And that he also has a lisp?
Well, maybe the lisp came from too much cocaine back in the day. But I loved him, lisp and all.
And while we're on the subject of drugs....
Your Personality Is Like Heroin
You're capable of the highest highs and the lowest lows.
Addicted to feeling good, you'll do almost anything to avoid pain.
People seek you out, even though you can be quite moody. They're hooked on you!
What Drug Is Your Personality Like?