2. Incoherent Speech: The Mumbled Conversations of Somnambulists
Sleepwalkers often vocalize, but their speech patterns during episodes can be vastly different from their wakeful conversations. Whispered words, fragmented sentences, and incomprehensible mumbling can all characterize this nocturnal chatter.
Listeners often find the sleepwalker’s conversations puzzling. Responses to questions might be delayed or entirely unrelated. There’s a significant disconnect between the sleepwalker’s speech and their typical communicative behaviors. This difference is jarring to those unfamiliar with somnambulism.
It’s not uncommon for a sleepwalker to engage in full-blown conversations, albeit disjointed ones. These dialogues can be single-sided or responsive, depending on the depth of the sleepwalker’s somnambulistic state. Though some sleepwalkers might react to external stimuli, others remain ensconced in their dream-like state, making interaction a challenge.
Interestingly, the subject matter of these conversations can range from mundane daily affairs to abstract concepts. In many cases, these discussions seem to stem from the sleeper’s dreams, bridging the realms of wakefulness and slumber.
Even though the sleepwalker might appear engrossed in these discussions, recollection upon waking is typically minimal. They might remember fragments of dreams or emotions but not the conversations themselves, adding another layer of mystery to this nocturnal phenomenon. (2)
