“Stutterer” or “Ex-stutterer”? That is the question.

[Anonymous]

I have heard some comments regarding the fact that we will always be people who stutter and are never fully cured.

The definition of “stutter” in the Merriam Webster dictionary:

Definition of stutter (Entry 1 of 2)
intransitive verb

1: to speak with involuntary disruption or blocking of speech (as by repetition or prolongation of vocal sounds)
2: to move or act in a halting or spasmodic manner
the old jalopy bucks and stutters uphill
— William Cleary
transitive verb

: to say, speak, or sound with or as if with a stutter
stutter noun
Definition of stutter (Entry 2 of 2)
1: an act or instance of stuttering
2: the habitual tendency to stutter
had a mild stutter
: STUTTERING

Now, with that definition in mind, how could I possibly call myself a “stutterer”? I have not stuttered in 3 and a half years, I have not thought about stuttering in about 2 and a half years, and I definitely will never stutter again. This means that I no longer fit the definition of a person who “stutters”.

To say I am a stutterer who does not stutter is absolutely ludicrous in my opinion! What’s yours?

[Gábor]

It’s interesting because many people have noticeable blocks or hesitations in their speech and they still don’t considered to be stutterers. And they also don’t make a big deal out of it and don’t have a bigger fear of speech than an average speaker.

So, I think fear of speech and the identity and self-image of being a stutterer is also a great part of stuttering.

[Author]

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