Why are there Tongue Twister?

One of the more fun ways to learn a language remains developing rhymes. Children interacting with verses increase language skills. Because of alliteration ( the way the same letter or same sound happen in a phrase), children receive phonic practice, pitch, and intonation. While repeating and reciting a phrase the brain develops neuron path ways to increase memory and recall. In the rhymes math skills, sequencing and even comprehension skills such as inferring strengthen. One of the most delightful ways to rhyme has become the tongue twister.

Why Tongue Twisters?

Since language began, people liked to rhyme. In developing rhyme, they noticed engaging ways to make a phrase. At some point making difficult tongue twisters became a game and competition. By the 19th century, it went from a game as a means to practice elocution ( the skill of clear pronunciation and expressive speech). Books of tongue twisters sprung up as a way to practice good English speaking or help acquire English as a language. Today tongue twisters help patients with brain trauma redevelop speech patterns, help diagnose processing issues with the brain, or train for speeches.

In education, teachers teach tongue twisters to improve speech in children, strengthen motor skills by doing actions with the rhyme, and contribute to emotional development with the interaction of others joining in. Used often with preschool and primary children the tongue twisters teach the difference between nonsense and logic, practice phonic skills intentionally, and develop vocabulary. So parents can prepare young children for school by teaching tongue twisters. The interactions between parent and child strengthen family bonding plus increases fluency of speech and develops confidence.

The Tongue Twisters

According to Encyclopedia Britannica the two most widely known tongue twisters list as:
1. she-sells-sea-shell-beside-the-seashore-
2. peter piper-picked-a-peck-of-pickled-peppers-

Other well known tongue twisters that have gained popularity list as –A skunk sat on a stump. The stump thunk the skunk stunk– and –Rubber baby buggy bumpers–. These tongue twisters have moved into comedy routines with the play on words extended to paragraph form as displayed in its full fun at American Heritage. In 2013 MIT announced it had devised the trickiest tongue twister ever. The intent of the project called for discovering phrasing that enhanced understanding of how the brain worked. The phrase –Pad kid poured curd pulled cod– became unleashed on USA speech subjects in the study. The criteria for the participants in the study called for saying it ten times fast. None of the participants could achieve the goal of saying it ten times. The intent of developing such a phrase aided investigation of errors of speech. Some participants stopped talking after a few rounds of attempting to say it fast.

Conclusion

Developing the language of tongue twisters creates excellent opportunities for family bonding in the vehicle, between events, and while getting ready for something. Engaging and lively tongue twister words put a smile on everyone’s face. It makes for good memories as well. Find a favorite tongue twister like peter piper, and try your tongue on those words.