das  Stottern

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃtɔtɐn/

🗣️ What exactly is "das Stottern"?

Das Stottern (noun, neuter) refers to a speech fluency disorder where the flow of speech is interrupted by involuntary repetitions of sounds, syllables, or words, prolongations of sounds, or blocks during speech. It's a complex disorder that can have both linguistic and psychological components.

It's important to distinguish between pathological stuttering as a recognized speech disorder and occasional 'hesitation' or faltering in speech that occurs in many people.

Since Stottern is a nominalized infinitive (from stottern - to stutter), it is neuter and takes the article das.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: das Stottern

Das Stottern is a nominalized infinitive and therefore neuter (Neutrum). It is generally used only in the singular, as it describes an abstract concept or state. A plural form is uncommon and would only make sense in very specific contexts (e.g., "verschiedene Arten des Stotterns" - different types of stuttering).

In many cases, "Stottern" is also used without an article, especially when referring to the disorder in general.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Sein Stottern wurde in der Kindheit schlimmer.
   (His stuttering got worse in childhood.)
2. Logopädie kann bei starkem Stottern helfen.
   (Speech therapy can help with severe stuttering.)
3. Er überwand sein Stottern mit viel Übung.
   (He overcame his stuttering with a lot of practice.)
4. Das plötzliche Stottern überraschte ihn selbst.
   (The sudden stuttering surprised even himself.)

💬 How is "Stottern" used?

The term das Stottern is primarily used in the following contexts:

• Medical/Therapeutic: To describe the clinical speech fluency disorder. Example: Die Ursachen für das Stottern sind vielfältig. (The causes of stuttering are diverse.)
• Colloquial: Sometimes also for strong hesitation or faltering in speech due to nervousness or uncertainty, although strictly speaking this isn't always 'real' stuttering. Example: Vor Aufregung kam er ins Stottern. (He started stuttering/faltering out of excitement.)

Distinction:

• Stottern vs. Stammeln: Stottern (stuttering/stammering) refers to speech flow (repetitions, blocks), whereas Stammeln (also Dyslalie, often translated as lalling or articulation disorder) refers to articulation problems (incorrect sound formation, e.g., lisping).
• Stottern vs. Stocken: Stocken (hesitating, faltering) is a more general term for pausing or brief interruptions in speech flow, often situational (e.g., due to thinking or uncertainty), while Stottern is a specific, often involuntary disorder.

⚠️ Avoid using the term in a derogatory or mocking way.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Many nominalized verbs (infinitive becomes a noun) in German are neuter: das Laufen (running), das Schwimmen (swimming), das Essen (eating)... and also das Stottern. Think of the "-en" ending -> often "das".

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a motor "stuttering" before it starts – making S-S-Starting sounds. Similarly, speech "stutters" (stottert) when it doesn't flow smoothly. The sound "St-St-Stottern" itself mimics the repetitions.

↔️ Similar & Opposite: Stottern

⚠️ Similar but Different Terms

• Poltern: (Cluttering) Another fluency disorder, characterized by overly rapid, unclear speech.
• Lispeln: (Lisping) An articulation disorder (a form of Stammeln).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der stotternde Bäcker seinen Job verloren?

Er konnte die Br-Br-Brötchen einfach nicht schnell genug v-verkaufen!

(Why did the stuttering baker lose his job?

He just couldn't s-s-sell the b-b-bread rolls fast enough!)

(Note: This joke is intended to be humorous and not offensive.)

✒️ Poem about Stuttering

Ein Wort will raus, doch bleibt es stecken,
beginnt sich z-z-zu verrenken.
Die Zunge zögert, stockt der Laut,
die Luft wird knapp, man fühlt sich aufgeschaut.
Das Stottern, manchmal schwer zu tragen,
doch Mut hilft, es dennoch zu wagen,
die eig'ne Stimme zu erheben,
und selbstbestimmt im Fluss zu leben.

(A word wants out, but stays stuck fast,
Begins to t-t-twist and cast.
The tongue it halts, the sound delayed,
The air runs short, one feels surveyed.
Stuttering, sometimes hard to bear,
But courage helps to still to dare,
To raise one's own true voice aloud,
And live determined in the crowd [flow].)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Tier, doch mach' ich Laute,
die manchmal klingen wie zerhackte.
Ich wohn' im Mund, doch nicht im Zahn,
und bremse oft die Redebahn.
Manchmal bin ich nur ganz klein,
manchmal brauchst du Medizin.

Was bin ich?

(I'm not an animal, yet I make sounds,
That sometimes seem like chopped-up grounds.
I live in the mouth, but not the tooth,
And often slow the track of truth [speech].
Sometimes I am very small,
Sometimes you need medicine for my call.)

What am I?

Solution: Das Stottern (Stuttering/Stammering)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

Das Stottern is the nominalization of the verb stottern (to stutter). The origin of the verb is onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of disfluent speech.

Trivia:

• Many famous personalities were or are people who stutter, e.g., Winston Churchill, Marilyn Monroe, Bruce Willis, Ed Sheeran.
• Stuttering occurs more frequently in boys than in girls.
• The exact causes are complex and not fully understood; a combination of genetic, neurological, and psychological factors is assumed.