July 9, 2013 | Sleep Talking
Sleep talking involves unconscious talking during sleep. Sleep talking varies in
content and presentation, ranging from mumbling, gibberish, and nonsensical words
to coherent. Sleep talking can be spontaneous, but may also be induced by some
else who talks with them while asleep. This nocturnal language can even sound
different from their wakeful speaking voice! The content of sleep talking can be
completely random, but it may also be related to past or present daytime experiences.
Decoding it can be impossible (or not even necessary) as sleep talking happens out
side of conscious awareness. Sleep talking can happen at any time during the night
and during any stage of sleep. In the earlier part of the night, people tend to be
more in the deeper stages of sleep (Stage 3 or 4) and sleep talking may sound more
like gibberish or mumbling. As the night progresses, sleep becomes lighter (REM sleep
like Stages 1 and 2) and can be more understandable to a bed partner. Most sleep talkers
won't remember a thing about their midnight murmurs — which, more accurately, can range
from babbling to coherent sentences and even raised voice. Sleep-talking or somniloquy
can range from random noises to complete sentences. It can also be brought on by stress
or reacting to dream sequences.