Starting from the video of Alketa Vejsi, who in an interview with Orinda Huta, spoke at a record speed, (without getting confused at any point) let's show some of the reasons why some people can speak faster than others.
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They are nervous - You may have noticed that you also start speaking faster when you are in front of a group of people, who you may not know well. Case in point: When you present a project in front of your class/office colleagues and you feel nervous and a little anxious. This may be a consequence of the fear of judgment from others, or the desire to finish the speech as soon as possible.
Positive emotions – Most people speak faster when they are happy, enthusiastic, or passionate about something. The same when they open good news. This is because they are overflowing with positive feelings and can't wait to share them with the people who are listening.
Anger - There are people who, when they are angry, tend to speak faster than usual. Anger has a knack for interfering with the ability to communicate and think rationally, as well as prompting the urge to say things directly, without thinking twice or pausing (much like this sentence).
Childhood Experiences - It may come as a surprise to you, but fast talking can also be rooted in the childhood of fast talkers. If these individuals grew up in large families, speaking quickly may have been how they get attention or feel heard.
Fear of Interruption – Some people speak quickly because they fear interruption and not being able to say what they think. Speaking quickly assures them that they are being heard and that no one is interrupting them.
Speed ??of thoughts - There are people who have a lot of thoughts in a short time, so to put some order in their chaotic mind, they speak faster. In many cases, they speak faster than they think and this makes it difficult to filter their thoughts.
Mental Health – Sometimes, fast talking can be linked to mental health conditions/diseases, ranging from ADHD, anxiety, to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. All these diseases have as a symptom speaking fast, so before you self-diagnose, consult a specialist.
How do you slow down when you tend to talk fast?
In some situations, speaking quickly can affect your ability to communicate properly with people, so here are some tips to prevent it:
- If you have a speech/discussion to do, monitor yourself beforehand
- Make intentional pauses when speaking
- Ask your friends to cut you off when you start talking too fast
- Look at the sign language of the person in front of you, whether or not he is receiving the information you are giving him
- Consult a specialist.
