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 remember we once went somewhere, a restaurant or maybe somewhere for an appointment, and my Mum said "Where can I deposit my coat?"I thought that was great. Deposit! Yeah I totally feel the OP. I speak with a pretty strong local accent but also quite academically sometimes. I used to read "difficult" books with a dictionary next to me. For me if I am tired but I need to communicate something like write an email and I just need to "get it done" without straining my brain then I will write something extremely long and detailed and quite academic in tone.
Jamphrey said:Yeah I totally feel the OP. I speak with a pretty strong local accent but also quite academically sometimes. I used to read "difficult" books with a dictionary next to me.
I had a boyfriend once and I was telling him about something I'd studied, which I thought was fascinating and he said to me 'thank you for the Open University lecture'.
I then realised that he may not have found it as interesting as I did!
Yes, when I was younger and there was no 'online' a dictionary was my best friend.
The people at school couldn't understand some of the words I used.
Now I see it's because they were unusual if, for example, I was reading a book written in another century but also because I mispronounced them as I learnt my speech mainly from reading, per the sections of the TA book I pasted.
Thank you for sharing your experiences.
It's very interesting to read how others experience this too.
Jamphrey said:So I try and judge whether to check in after I use a word that seems a bit uncommon, but this is like walking a tightrope! If they know the word they're often offended you asked, as if asking is the same as assuming they didn't know it based on who they are or something, and as if not knowing a word is something to be ashamed of! It's very tricky!
A good example of how social interactions can be so very complicated for us.
Jamphrey said:What a boring guy
What a boring guy ;)I'm very self-conscious about sounding pretentious for sure. Especially as I often have a very confident way of talking when I'm in flow. I always used to assume that if people didn't understand something then they would just ask because that's what I do and that's what my Mum does too. Then I learned that people have lots of different reasons not to ask. So I try and judge whether to check in after I use a word that seems a bit uncommon, but this is like walking a tightrope! If they know the word they're often offended you asked, as if asking is the same as assuming they didn't know it based on who they are or something, and as if not knowing a word is something to be ashamed of! It's very tricky!