ASK THE BVA
Page updated: 22nd June 2011
Welcome to 'Ask the BVA'
'Ask the BVA' is here to help BVA members and the general public. You can contact us for information and advice about voice related matters and we will do our best to help you. We can also supply you with a list of BVA members who are voice professionals (e.g. singing teachers, speech therapists, ENTs etc) who offer services within your geographical area. We would sometimes like to post your letters or emails on the website when we feel your question and our response may help others in similar situations. No one will have their enquiry posted on the website without their permission. The letters will be anonymous to protect your identity.
Anyone wishing to 'Ask the BVA' can contact us at: administrator@britishvoiceassociation.org.uk
We must stress that the advice given does not necessarily represent the views of the BVA, nor can the BVA be held responsible for it.
Latest enquiry
Quite a number of people have contacted us at Ask the BVA with problems concerning the articulation of speech sounds. One common problem appears to the pronunciation of /r/ so I have included an enquiry below that is typical of the sort of requests for help we received together with my answer. The same answer could also apply to problems with the articulation of /s/ or any other consonant. I hope it is a help to anyone out there who may be concerned about their speech sounds. My thanks goes to the contributor of the enquiry below for permission to use it on here.
Sara Harris replies: Thank you for writing to us at Ask the BVA and for telling me about your problem with the articulation of the /r/ sound. As you are probably aware, you are far from alone. With motivation and persistence I am sure you will be able to fix this problem but it is a good idea to get some help. Articulation correction is part of the field of a Speech and Language Therapist. I am sure there will be a good service in your local area and all you need to do is to see your GP and request a referral. The Speech Therapist can help you find the right articulation of the tongue tip to the upper tooth ridge and work you through a regime of graded exercises which you can practice until you have got the correct pattern. Don’t worry if it sounds odd at first and it will certainly feel odd for a while too. You will need to be patient and persistent as it takes something in the region of six to nine months sometimes to establish new muscular patterns. I hope this helps and good luck.
