Writing vs. Speaking

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I never understood why, but when I write or type, I articulate fairly well, but when I speak I just can't find the words. My vocabulary is massive, and grows every day, yet the only time I can use it to it's full potential is in writing. When I speak, I just sound like a normal person talking, but when I write, it's completely different. Normally, I would see this as a problem, but if I'm having an intellectual discussion or debate with a friend(yes, teenagers can actually do that), I don't come off quite as intellectual as I would like. English is an amazing language, but the number of words is just dumbfounding. There are so many synonyms, it just makes it slightly annoying at times when I can only speak the small words, yet I can write the large ones.
Does anyone else have this problem, of vocal stupidity and written intellect? Or should I just add this as another reason I'm just weird? lol

Yes Jamesp420---I definitely agree with you here. I have this same challenge. I can write well (I am an English major), but I have always found it challenging to try to speak what it is I want to say in a way that satisfies me. While other people seem to be able to do a good job in telling a story, etc., I can sometimes stumble around with it.

Interesting, I have sometimes written letters, (now emails), to my wife when I needed to communicate something important or personal. Yes personal---my therapist said that it is common for us with autism to find it challenging to discuss personal things because it opens us up to the "world." So writing has been a great friend to me. I have often scripted out things I want to say before I say them---like at a meeting, etc.---something else my therapist said was a good idea (scripting).

Definitely.

In my case, it even goes to the exent that (English not being my native language) I have a heavy dislike of speaking English, even though I can read and write it fairly well. And even though German is almost a second nature to me, I don't like to use it unless the other person I'm speaking to doesn't understand Spanish. As for Spanish itself, there are things I don't dare to say personally and prefer to write instead (yes, e-mail or letters, too). Right now (for the past week or so) I've been considering the idea of writing e-mails in German and providing a link to Google's translation services in order to express my feelings...

For me it's the opposite. I speak very well, and I consider this writing to be very similar to speaking, but writing without a defined audience (essays) is extremely difficult for me, usually involving sitting in front of a blank document for several hours, just waiting for even a single word to occur to me.


By the way, school sucks.

When I'm writing or talking, I'm more concerned with being efficient with my vocab than sounding intelligent. I don't wanna come across as either too simple or too verbose. I find talking easier than writing though.

I'm exactly the same way.

though I have been known to misinterpret typed words, it is far more frequent with spoken words. At least with typing or writing you can take your time.

Same for me. Good for me my teachers let me write instead of speaking.

I understand this very, very much. My teachers tell me that I write in a very professional manner as though I am a college or university student rather than a high school student and yet when I have to talk... I break down and fall into pieces. I feel like vomiting when faced with oral presentations and have sensory overload while doing them. I never realized what this was until yesterday...

I think it's all part of being Autistic/ having Aspergers.

dont feel bad ur not the only one, i can type so well, and some of my words i type can seem so articulate on here, it even amazes me, i type a couple hundred words a minute without looking, its very weird however speaking is a different story, i do more babbling or one worders, idk why either. i can sign really well too, jus my vocal cords and vocal box idk what they are doing but they aint doing their job lol, so ur def not alone hehe.

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I love to write, well, type actually, as my handwriting's horrible, but I always have trouble speaking.

I too find it easier to express my feelings in writing rather than speaking. With speaking, I find myself struggling to find the right words and will often "trip over" myself in trying to say something. But with writing, I feel more able to sort out my thoughts the way I want to, and don't feel as pressed to respond as quickly. Back when I was in school (this was still before I was diagnosed, though), I always struggled with delivering speeches or oral presentations to the class (though being everyone's prime bullying victim didn't help my confidence either), but my teachers always commended me on my writing skills. Even these days, unless it's supposed to be direct, instant communication that's needed right now (like in an MMO), or if it's with someone I trust, I would much rather communicate through written words than speaking.

Oh, absolutely.

My boyfriend and I both write very well and are known for verbosity and large vocabularies. However, in speech I am much less articulate than he. Especially under stress or when trying to describe emotions. I find it very hard to explain my feelings in conversation.

This is also an issue when someone asks me to spell a word. I am an excellent speller but if somebody says "Spell verbatim." I will go "Err...V, E...V,E,R,T,...um...R,BA"etc. If asked to write it down I wouldn't even have to think.

I mentioned this lack of verbal confidence a while back, when I was on about dirty talk in the bedroom. If he wanted a naughty letter - no problem - but I found verbalising my sexy thoughts without repetition very difficult!

I have EXACTLY the same thing, I can barely spell "spelling" when asked to say the letters, yet when you give me a piece of paper and a pen I can spell complex words without thinking about it.

I definitely write far more elequently than I speak, though it often takes me several drafts to articulate exactly what I want to say. (I believe this is also part of my difficulty when speaking, I am constantly revising what I wish to say causing a marked delay in the conversation.)