Ask HN: Tips for improving mental word retrieval?

6 points by pikewood 5 years ago | 5 comments

I suffer from words being at the "tip-of-my-tongue" often. I know the basic definition of what I'm trying to say, but I just can't bring up the word I want to say fast enough. I sometimes talk in a staccato rhythm as I'm seeking for the right word to say. I may use a wordy sentence around the point, or a complex GRE-level vocabulary word, instead of the succinct word that I could've used.

Have any of you had this and improved your word retrieval? Are there mind exercises I can use to improve this? "Aphasia" seems to be the closest term, but I feel that is lot more severe and against a simpler vocabulary. And regardless, are there ways to strengthen word retrieval to be a more fluent or clearer speaker?

I don't know if I've addled my brain by being so reliant on auto-correct, if the majority of my communication being written (email/chat) has softened my speaking ability, or if this is just aging. Or perhaps I shouldn't have eaten ground beef in the UK 20 years ago.

Any tips would be appreciated!

tucaz 5 years ago |

It seems to me that you are going through a path.

You have discovered that you can be clearer in the communication if you can articulate better and use more precise words.

You are getting the hang of it. I don’t think it’s a matter of just remembering the words as much as it is about improving your thinking.

Keep actively thinking about how to be more articulate and also practicing and you will get better and better everyday.

Like everything else in life, it’s a matter of practice.

pikewood 5 years ago | |

I explained my problem in a confusing way. The main problem is solely that I can't find the word I want to say. Normally, I'd just freeze up and just keep racking my brain for the right word, but my coping mechanism has been finding a related word or phrase to keep the communication going.

But, you mention practicing. What do you think is the activity to practice? Are there tests/games/exercises that strengthen that part of thinking you know of?

tucaz 5 years ago | | |

I believe I’m going through the same journey as you are and what I use as practice is:

- Before getting into a meeting when I’m expected to present information I run all the talking points (and expected questions) and think through how I will explain it using the least amount of words - Whenever writing an email I do the same process. Write the draft version and look for sentences where I think I can replace a sequence of words for a single one. Rinse and repeat until the email is a short as it can be

Both activities will force me to search (and recall) words that didn’t come to me at first. After using the same words a few times they will get stuck in my brain and come more naturally the next time. If you keep repeating the process eventually you will become more articulate and communicate more clearly

rocketGeorge 5 years ago |

One thing that might help is reading; so you know more words (eg synonyms for words I you can't retrieve). You also can try to imagine how word is written and then I "read" it from visual memory - it could take longer but should do the trick.

I read that that kind of problems can be connected with communication between broca and wernicke areas in brain.

Good luck:)

pikewood 5 years ago |

Some things I have thought about looking into:

* Reading aloud text in a very quick speed. Maybe I need more practice in just brain-to-mouth coordination?

* Flash card style training, from just words to even actor headshots (because that feeling of "I know that person but I can't remember their name" is a similar feeling).

* Just speaking more, maybe getting into VR Chat or something similar.