I study more linguistics

In my Psycholinguistics class last week, we learned about speech errors: pauses, repetitions, saying the wrong word, etc. When we broke into groups to discuss common speech errors, I proclaimed I am very aware of my own speech, and I hardly ever make speech errors.

On Monday, I was at FHE telling a story to a small group of friends. During the course of the story, I found myself making speech error after speech error. I was having trouble finding the right words, pronouncing the words, putting the words into coherent sentences--it was terrible. And the worst part was that I could hear myself making mistakes, but couldn't seem to prevent them.

Sensitive linguist that I am, I was intrigued by my experience and took the time to analyze it the next day. At first, I wondered if I really make that many speech errors on a regular basis and just don't notice. After awhile, I conceded that I do make more speech errors than I originally thought--but not that many. So there must have been some external factor affecting my speech production. (Studies show that stress, alcohol, and a number of other factors can increase the number of speech errors a person makes.)

I thought back to the scene of the crime, and the first thing I remembered was that the boy I was mildly interested in at the time was in the group and was standing near me.

And that was really all I could remember.

I couldn't remember who else was in the group of friends. Or what story I had been telling.

Which sums up why I had trouble producing coherent sentences.

And proves that I turn into moron when I am around boys I like.