Refluency is a term used to describe moments of hesitation, repetition or correction that occur during speech. The word is spelled with a "u" after the letter "f" because it follows the general rule of using "u" after "f" to indicate that the "f" sound is pronounced as /f/. The phonetic transcription of refluency is /rɪˈflu(ə)nsi/, where the symbol "ə" represents the "schwa" sound, which is a neutral vowel sound often heard in unstressed syllables.
Refluency refers to the occurrence of mild disruptions or hesitations in speech flow. It is a term often used in the field of speech pathology or in the study of speech disorders. Refluencies can manifest as breaks, repetitions, prolongations, or interjections during spoken communication.
In normal speech, individuals may experience occasional refluencies, referred to as typical disfluencies, without any underlying speech disorder. These can include hesitations while searching for words, repeating phrases for emphasis, or using fillers such as "um" or "uh" as thinking pauses. However, when refluencies become more frequent, persistent, or interfere with effective communication, it may indicate a speech disorder, such as stuttering.
Stuttering is a specific type of refluency characterized by repetitive or prolonged disruptions in speech fluency. It can involve repetitions of sounds, syllables, or whole words, as well as blocks or moments of being unable to produce any sound at all. Stuttering can vary in severity and can have a significant impact on an individual's ability to express themselves verbally.
Speech therapy is frequently employed to help individuals develop strategies to improve their fluency, reduce disfluencies, and enhance overall communication skills. Techniques like slow and deliberate speech, breathing exercises, and practicing relaxation techniques can all be used to manage refluency and promote smoother speech flow.
In summary, refluency refers to disruptions in speech flow, which can range from typical disfluencies observed in everyday speech to more severe and persistent issues seen in speech disorders like stuttering.
The term "refluency" is derived from the combination of the prefix "re-" and the word "fluency".
The prefix "re-" is used to indicate repetition or restoration. In this case, it implies a return to or restoration of fluency, which is the ability to speak or write smoothly, easily, and without hesitations or pauses.
"Fluency" itself originates from the Latin word "fluentia", which means "flowing". It entered the English language in the late 16th century, initially referring to the smooth flow of liquid, then expanding to describe the smoothness of speech or writing.
Therefore, "refluency" essentially means the restoration or return to a state of fluency. It is often used in the context of speech therapy or language learning, where it refers to the improvement or regained ability to speak fluidly after experiencing disruptions or blockages.