I’m a slow reader. Always have been. When I read, I say every word aloud in my mind. I’ve been reading online that this “subvocalization” actually slows reading WAY down and doesn’t help with reading comprehension (once you know how to read). Is this true, and if so, how can I read without subvocalization? I’d like to become a better reader that can read books in weeks, not months. Thanks for any help!
by Educational-Sea-5229
4 Comments
>I’ve been reading online that this “subvocalization” actually slows reading WAY down and doesn’t help with reading comprehension (once you know how to read).
[citation needed]
I don’t feel like it slows my reading down that much? I do the same thing, and I’ve been known to read a book in a day, and can easily (and regularly) do 2-3 in a week.
For me, the time it takes to complete a book is partly based on how much time I give it. But, mainly, it’s how much I like the book. I can tell I’m not actually enjoying a book if it takes me more than a week or two to get through. If I’m really enjoying it, I will choose reading that book over other leisure activities, and I get through it faster. But, if it’s only ok, I won’t read as often and it takes longer to get through it.
I don’t think faster readers get rid of the subvocalization. They either speed it up to match or they stop being conscious of it. You want it to at least match your speaking speed or the speed a person would use if they were telling you the story out loud. I’m assuming that you don’t…talk…like…this…in…your…daily…conversations.
Ideally, when you glance at a word, you say it in your head instantly. You don’t stop to think about what word that is or how to say it out loud or study the spelling of it. Even more ideally, you glance at the first couple of words, have the context of the scene/moment, know the character’s personality, and instantly predict the entire sentence/paragraph. < — This is what happens when you get into a zone with a book that is written in a generally modern, easy style of writing. Classics with older writing styles and more complicated language are going to slow you down until/unless you get very used to them.
Read what’s comfortable. If you subvocalize, it’s totally fine. If you try to think about how fast you’re reading you’re more likely to end up missing the content because you’re actively detracting away from what you’re reading.
I wouldn’t worry about it too much, but if you insist on trying to wear out the idea, I would try practicing with books you would like to re-read. Familiarity with the content will make it easier to re-learn what you’re taking in.