What is the primary effect of prolonged speech in fluency management?

• A. It increases disfluencies
• B. It is used only during practice sessions
• C. It reduces the frequency of part-word repetitions and sound prolongations
• D. It has no effect on fluency

Answer: (C)

Prolonged speech slows the rate of speaking and uses smooth, continuous phonation. This gentle, steady delivery reduces the motor tension and abrupt articulatory stops that often cause stuttering, so the speaker tends to produce fewer disfluencies. The key effect is a drop in the frequency of part-word repetitions and sound prolongations, which are common indicators of stuttering. In practice, this approach trains the speaker to maintain easy onset and even rhythm, leading to more fluent speech. It isn’t something limited to practice sessions, and it does have a real, noticeable impact on fluency.