Talking backwards

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Talking backwards has two meanings. One involves rearranging phonemes or sounds in reverse order and is thus a special type of articulation within a language. As in this example, not all syllables are necessarily reversed: quentolent instead of eloquent .

The second meaning is psychological in nature and is largely rejected as a theory by linguists . It goes back to a theory called Reverse Speech by the Australian radio operator David John Oates, which states that every person unconsciously thinks a parallel, very differently arranged sentence that is closer to the truth than the one spoken when speaking a sentence.

While most people speak smaller words or sentences backwards but use the phonetics of speaking forward, especially talented people can speak larger passages of text with the appropriate phonetics. The latter enables what is spoken to be understood when played backwards.

Talking backwards in pop culture

In the series Twin Peaks by David Lynch , the phonetic reversal plays a prominent role. In scenes set in the Black Lodge , a mythical place where time runs backwards, the actors speak backwards-played backwards. This means that what is said is understandable to the audience, but has the characteristic sound of a sound played backwards.

See also