(no subject)

[moominmolly]

When you read a book -- when you get into the reading groove, that is -- how do you absorb the individual words? Do you start at the beginning and go to the end? Do you recognize the letters as a group? Do you recognize the shape of the word, or word sets? Something else entirely? Is this something you can even SEE in yourself?

In general, I think of my brain as working very much like my brother Paul's, but in this case, we've never really lined up, so I'm curious how the rest of the world works. I sort of have a pathological relationship to letters, so I'm not very objective.

EDIT: when people speak, I see the letters pass through my brain.

Comments

[goat.livejournal.com]

This has happened to me a few times. It's neat!

When I'm reading something just casually, I tend to read by the word, although I do notice individual letters. Reading usually flows at a moderately quick pace, although I'm not a fast reader. I also hear the words in my head as I read them.

Reading something academic is a little more difficult. I have to intentionally go word by word, and make sure I understand how they connect to the next word. I also have trouble staying on the right line, and general focusing and processing. This is easier if I have a highlighter in hand (or, as I discovered yesterday, if I'm on Wellbutrin). I still hear the words in my head, although often I have to read out loud to myself to make sure I stay on track. I have a brother who was actually diagnosed with learning disabiltiies (unlike me, I wasn't diagnosed, though I suspect I have some), so I learned all the tricks from him.