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Guidelines for talking and writing about stammering.
Words matter. They shape how we see ourselves, how others see us and the world we live in.
Negative or unhelpful language around stammering can mislead people and reinforce myths and falsehoods.
Find the right words
The language used around stammering should be neutral.
- Instead of saying people 'suffer from' or are 'afflicted by' stammering, say 'they stammer'.
- Instead of describing someone's stammer as 'terrible' or 'debilitating', just say 'they stammer'.
- Avoid saying that people 'defeat' or 'overcome' their stammer. It can't be cured.
- Find a word other than 'stuttering' to describe something that is stalling or failing.
- Avoid describing someone's stammer as 'really bad today'. They are just talking.
Watch our video 'Find the Right Words' below, on why the language around stammering matters (narrated by Scroobius Pip).
