Pat--interesting observations!

Because of my pre-mother/lactation life as a professional singer and  
vocal instructor, I notice speech patterns too.  What I notice is the  
lack of active tongue articulation in speech amongst native American  
English speakers, with compensatory over-articulation of the jaw.  I  
also notice the effect of retracted tongues in speech.  The language  
patterns of British English, French, German, Italian, to name just a  
few, typically involve a more active tongue and less jaw movement.   
This sets up all sorts of really interesting (to me!) muscle patterns  
throughout the vocal apparatus.  This would be of interest to us  
lactation people because this same apparatus is involved in swallowing.

So I'll continue the speculation--along with the idea of heredity and  
bottle-feeding allowing babies to survive with tongue tie that might  
have not survived earlier in history-what effect does language have on  
the evolving usage of the tongue?  Over time, how does the protective  
stance of a retracted tongue (fast flowing formula bottle) affect  
tongue development? How many generations are needed to see this sort  
of micro-evolution?

Rebecca Sato

> : Tongue Tie/observation and speculation
>
> Have any of you noticed tongue tie in news-type people on TV?  The
> lower-jaw shape or manner of movement,  the restriction or prominence
> of the tongue, etc.  They have all overcome the speech problems but
> it is obvious there is still a functional challenge. I am made aware
> because of noticing TONGUES as they talk.  The tongues are usually
> flat against the floor of the mouth and are prominent throughout
> their presentations, with cheeks and jaws compensating.
>
> I say "news-type" people because my TV watching seems to be limited
> to such programming.  I wonder it those with the speech challenge
> went on to prove to themselves that they have learned to speak very  
> well.
>
>
> I have wondered that if it has a hereditary component, do we see more
> of it in the U.S. because we have more generations who were
> bottle-fed and who survived, avoiding natural selection. Some years
> ago there was speculation on environmental toxins that are so common
> in the U.S as a cause of increased incidence of tongue tie, having
> affected the fetuses.
>
> I am particularly interested in whether others of you have detected
> adults on TV with signs of restricted tongues.
>
> Pat Gima
>
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> End of LACTNET Digest - 10 Jan 2010 - Special issue (#2010-46)
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