A Journalist’s Raw Essay Challenges How We View Stuttering and Speech
Journalist David Hugendick has released his first book, Just Say It Already: On Stuttering, published by Ullstein Verlag. The autobiographical essay examines how stuttering affects communication and challenges society’s expectations of fluent speech.
Hugendick, who writes for ZEIT ONLINE, draws on his own experiences to explore themes of impatience, shame, and the pressure to speak without hesitation.
Hugendick has worked at ZEIT ONLINE since 2009 and currently serves as a culture correspondent for ZEIT’s feuilleton section. His academic background includes studies in modern German literature and political science. While he often covers music and cultural topics—such as progressive metal bands or rap parodies—his new book shifts focus to a deeply personal subject.
In Just Say It Already, he describes how stuttering disrupts the natural flow of conversation. The essay questions the assumption that speech must always be smooth and efficient. Hugendick argues that these societal norms create unnecessary pressure on those who struggle with fluency.
A discussion about the book will take place at the Leipzig Book Fair. Doris Akrap, an editor and columnist at ZEIT, will lead the conversation. Akrap, who is also an author, presenter, and board member of PEN Berlin, brings her own journalistic perspective to the event.
The book offers a candid look at the challenges of stuttering and the broader implications of how society views speech. Hugendick’s work encourages readers to reconsider what it means to communicate effectively. The Leipzig Book Fair event will provide a platform for further discussion on these themes.
