
Finding & recalling words
Rapu me maumahara kupu
It can be frustrating when you cannot find the words. But there are things you can do to make it easier.
Get others on board
Communication is about partnership. If you have trouble communicating, make sure the people you talk with most often know what is difficult so they can help you. Set some rules for them. For example, if you cannot find a word, do you want them to help you find it or do you just want them to give you more time?
General tips to help you communicate
- Choose a time and place to communicate that suits you, and when you are not tired.
- Make sure you have your listener's undivided attention. Try to be close to them. It is good to be face to face.
- Have a pen and paper handy. Stay calm and show people what helps. Have a go and do not be too hard on yourself.
- Let the person you are talking with know if you do not understand something.
- Use conversation props such as:
If you cannot find a word:
- Can you describe it? For example, "library" = "the place where you borrow books".
- Can you talk around the word? For example, "Europe" = "the place where tourists visit, Italy, Germany, all of it together".
- Can you show it (gesture)? For example, "piano" = demonstrate playing it.
- Can you think of a similar word? For example, "sad" = "unhappy".
- Can you spell the word or part of it?
- Can you write the word or part of it?
- Can you draw a picture?
- Can you point to it or a picture of it?
Tips to help you remember names
- When you meet someone for the first time, say their name back to them, for example, "Hello John", or "I will just check we have got your name right in the computer. Is it Mary?"
- Make a link between the person's name and their mannerisms, physical characteristics, job or company. for example, Mike is the physio with blond hair.
- Write down a memory cue on their business card or in your notebook. For example, Sarah = loud laugh.
- If you are having trouble retrieving a person's name, try "thinking around" them:
- When did you meet them?
- When did you last see them?
- What is their job?
- What are the names of other people they know?
- What letter does their name start with?
- When you find their name, use it in conversation again ("I agree, Ray"). The more times you use their name, the better the chance you will retrieve it next time.
- Look at the person's business card, on which you have written memory cues before you meet them. You will then be prepared to retrieve their name.
Written by speech-language therapists, Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2023.
Sources
The information in this section comes from the following sources, some of which may be clinically complex or not available to the general public
Green et al. (1997) Mild traumatic brain injury: a therapy and resource manual. Singular, San Diego.
Koller, K. (2002) Handout: Ranworth Healthcare speech language therapy visual information processing strategies.
McKay Moore Sohlberg (1994) Communication Skill Builders: Understanding Attention Impairments.
Image and embedded video sources
Image of a man focusing no sanding a model airplane from Shutterstock (image ID 1791375929). November 2023.
Image of a man talking on the phone from Shutterstock (image ID 387504061). November 2023.
Image of an elderly couple sitting in a garden from Shutterstock. August 2014.
Image of people in a meeting from Shutterstock (image ID 176023793). November 2020.
Image of 2 Asian people greeting each other face to face from Shutterstock (image ID 180093542). August 2014.
Image of 2 businessmen having a meeting from Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos. August 2014.
Image of 2 men sitting outside and talking from Shutterstock (image ID 748930963). November 2023.
Image of 2 men talking with hand gestures from Shutterstock (image ID 248077960). November 2023.
Page reference: 121581
Review key: HISCD-79694