How can i stop subvocalizing while reading?

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jobsfor14
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How can i stop subvocalizing while reading?

Post by jobsfor14 »

Recently i have been working through courses that are supposed to train me how to speed read. One of the key principals of speed reading is that you dont subvocalize (pronouncing words in your head while reading) words when you read them. Supposedly the brain can process literally thousands of words per minute, but you have to be able to visually process these words without saying them to yourself in you head. A few tips i have already heard are to hole a toothpick in my mouth, or chew gum, but i can do these things and still subvocalize. Does anyone have tips on how to eliminate subvocalization?
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saracen77
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Post by saracen77 »

Oh, I just tried that and it nearly made me dizzy... And also, I didn't take in a word of what I had just read! There must be more of a trick to it than just not hearing the words in your head, otherwise, I don't think that would work for me at all.

I don't think I'm helping here, but just to say, chewing and holding stuff seems to have no effect on the voice at all. The only way I managed it was to go so fast that my voice couldn't keep up, and then, the comprehension dipped.

Let me know if you crack it, I'm intrigued to find out how this works.
_Delly_01
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Post by _Delly_01 »

I'd never heard of subvocalizing before now, but I now that I know what it is, I know that I do it, too. I think the trick to getting past the subvocalization (if that's a word), is to let your eyes bounce along the sentence and only filter in key words, like verbs, nouns, and adjectives. The brain is pretty amazing and can make a connection between random words, turning them into something coherent. But, honestly, I have no idea. Lol.
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Florence Nalianya
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Post by Florence Nalianya »

I think you should just employ immense concentration.
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Brnlan
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Post by Brnlan »

Wow. I've never heard of this. I doubt I could ever do it since I like to reread some passages and/or sentences before proceeding.
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Henrytbab
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Post by Henrytbab »

jobsfor14 wrote: 19 Oct 2008, 09:30 Recently i have been working through courses that are supposed to train me how to speed read. One of the key principals of speed reading is that you dont subvocalize (pronouncing words in your head while reading) words when you read them. Supposedly the brain can process literally thousands of words per minute, but you have to be able to visually process these words without saying them to yourself in you head. A few tips i have already heard are to hole a toothpick in my mouth, or chew gum, but i can do these things and still subvocalize. Does anyone have tips on how to eliminate subvocalization?
I subvocalized while reading this. It can't be eradicated entirely. It takes practice not to.
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
-George Bernard Shaw
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car-mbz
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Post by car-mbz »

I don't think there is a way to stop subvocalizing. I think subvocalizing helps in understanding what you are reading. Just my opinion.
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