Stuttering is a speech disorder in which the normal flow of speech is frequently disrupted by repetitions (sounds, syllables, words, or phrases), pauses, and prolongations that differ both in frequency and severity from those of normally fluent individuals. The term stuttering is most commonly associated with the involuntary repetition, but it also encompasses the abnormal hesitation or pausing before speech, referred to by stutterers as blocks, and the prolongation of certain sounds, usually vowels. Much of what constitutes “stuttering” cannot be observed by the listener; this includes such things as sound and word fears, situational fears, anxiety, tension, shame, and a feeling of "loss of control" during speech. The emotional state of the individual who stutters in response to the stuttering often constitutes the most difficult aspect of the disorder. Read the rest of this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuttering _______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries: 1674: John Sobieski was elected by the szlachta to be King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_III_Sobieski%2C_King_of_Poland) 1881: The American Red Cross was established by Clara Barton. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Red_Cross) 1894: The Manchester Ship Canal was officially opened, linking the city of Manchester to the Irish Sea. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Ship_Canal) 1927: Aboard the Spirit of St. Louis, Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo non-stop transatlantic flight. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Lindbergh) 1991: Former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a female suicide bomber. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajiv_Gandhi) _____________________ Wikiquote of the day: "May the Force be with you." -- Jedi saying; used in all Star Wars episodes. (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Star_Wars)