What Is Subvocalization in Reading? (Explained!)

Subvocalization is a form of silent speech. It is a subconscious trait that occurs when someone makes an internal speech to translate printed words by sound. It helps the mind to access meanings and remember the terms in a text. 

Many people aren’t aware that they subvocalize while reading. However, the impact of this habit is more significant than you think. 

If you want to increase your reading speed and cover all materials that your job or school demands on time, it’s essential to understand the role of subvocalization. This will help you work your way around it and read more efficiently. 

So, in this post, we will discuss what subvocalization is, how it affects your reading comprehension, and how it impacts speed reading. 

What is subvocalization, and why does it happen? 

Subvocalization is the process of internally pronouncing the words in a text while engaging in silent reading. It happens because most people were taught to read by harnessing the mental connection between speech and reading.

Subvocalization is a natural form of speech-based code. We associate the meaning of words with how they sound.

This aids comprehension as the brain stores what we read in short-term memory and makes it easy to recall for understanding. 

Many of us were taught to read by speaking words aloud and pronouncing them multiple times to absorb their meaning. 

This teaching method is highly effective, as it utilizes the natural mental connection between speech and words. However, as we start to read silently, the habit remains, but the pattern changes. 

You will start to employ your inner voice without engaging your vocal cords. While some people do it by moving their lips while reading a text silently, most have more subtle muscle movements.

During subvocalization, all the muscles engaged in articulating speech sounds respond. The eyes, larynx, lips, tongues, vocal cords, and throat all work together. 

It creates a phonological loop. This phonological loop maps out patterns for easy recall when next you pronounce a word silently. This is similar to muscle memory.

 For this reason, subvocal speech is a great way for an average reader to improve comprehension.

NASA conducted research to make AI understand us without explicit commands. In the process, they discovered that even proficient readers with undetectable subvocalization still subvocalize. 

The movements can usually be detectable by electromagnetic sensors. 

Is subvocalization similar to hearing voices in your head?

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