Published on 12, July, 2020
This thread is the result of a discussion with Out of Step but also something I've been thinking about this past year, since diagnosis.
Years ago, when my friend was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, as was, I skim read some of his book: The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome by Tony Attwood.
One section resonated.
I can't check out the wording now as I don't own it but it was about how autistic people may not speak as non autistic people do and may not use the language commonly used by their peers.
They may, for example, use what used to be called 'BBC English' as my mother did and I do, despite being working class and having gone to working class schools.
We didn't pick up a local accent.
However, some people may pick up the accent but be fascinated by words and use uncommon words.
Also, when I was at school I used words no-one knew the meaning of.
I did actually use a dictionary a lot when I was reading and learnt these more unusual words (and mispronounced them, as I still do) so that's probably part of the reason why.
My mother also used words I'd never heard anyone else use and said that when she was young she would read the dictionary.
She also constantly used the old sayings and phrases (eg a stitch in time saves nine) and I find my speech peppered with these phrases and anachronistic words.
I think that this difference also extends to speech patterns.
Anyone else experience similar and have any knowledge about this to add?
Thanks.
I am always inventing my own words, and corrupting existing words to make them sound better to me, or changing the pronunciation. My internal accent, you know the one you hear in your head when you are reading, is different to my own external accent, and always has been. My mother made a huge deal of accents, telling me not to pick up the local one (that she despised), but this only isolated me even more. Words have always been really important to me. Dipping in to the dictionary is fascinating - I just wish I could retain it all!
There's also a long list of words I can't say. Even if I try I just kind of gag and nothing comes out! I'll give you an example - the word 'bra' - makes me want to vomit just seeing it written!