The only things I can think to do are pretty standard. Your best bet is to reload to a save prior to that point, no matter how far back. I'd try that first. Past that, you don't actually have to talk to them for them to teach you the word, try standing back and seeing if he is going to speak the word on the ground, you might just be interfering with him. As a final act of desperation, I do not know if you can turn the Graybeards hostile or not, but try attacking him. Get him to drop to his knees and if they become hostile, run away or use a calm spell/scroll and see if he will then teach you the word.
Past that, there isn't anything you can do really, at least to my knowledge. Also, this thread should probably go in the support thread. Good luck with this man!