Hello, I'm Italian and I apologize in advance if I will be fairly straightforward, but it's because I'm tired .. and the reason is this general paranoia on: "Oh, I can hear my voice pronouncing the words .. Am I normal? Am I not efficient enough?" creating a multitude of anxious people about their own level of efficiency. I remind you that I'm Italian, my country has produced the best scientists, engineers, architects when the problem of subvocalizzazione did not even exist. As for me, I stopped to consider it a problem .. I subvocalize everything because if I did not it would simply be impossible for me to understand what I study: namely mathematics .. and challenge anyone to be able to read 800 words per minute on a math textbook, an extremely strict discipline, where EVERY single detail is important and every little mistake is able to overturn the result. Having said that, months ago I read an article about how to teach dyslexic children to develop an inner voice, the lack of which, that seems to be a common feature in these people, is the cause of poor reading. Is this not strange? Greetings.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subvocalization
I'm curious about how often or to what degree visitors to this site subvocalize as they read. I was originally interested in reducing subvocalizations as a way to increase reading speed, as the idea is mentioned in multiple pieces I've read about speed reading.
The Wikipedia entry seems to focus on subtle throat and muscle movements, but I'm more interested to know if you "say" or "hear" the words in your head as you read.
Since reading about subvocalization recently, I seem to notice that I "say/hear" what I'm reading quite frequently. I'm not sure if this is causal (in the way that the command "don't think of pink elephants" obliges you to do so), or if I just notice it more now, or both.
When I'm very engrossed in a book either I don't notice the subvocalizations or they stop happening, so seems that it could either be a cause or a symptom of distractedness.
In the comments, please describe your mental subvocalizations (or lack of them) and if they are related to how engrossed you are in the book. Any other comments relevant comments about speed reading or subvocalizations are welcome.