What does the term 'articulation' refer to in speech pathology?

The term 'articulation' in speech pathology specifically refers to the physical production of speech sounds. This involves the movements of the tongue, lips, jaw, and other parts of the vocal apparatus that are responsible for forming sounds and words. Good articulation is essential for clear and effective communication, as it impacts how intelligible a person’s speech is to others.

While comprehension of speech sounds is related to auditory processing and perception, it does not encompass the mechanics of producing those sounds. Similarly, the organization of spoken words pertains to syntax and semantics, which are about constructing meaningful phrases and sentences rather than the physical aspects of sound formation. Lastly, interpreting non-verbal cues involves understanding body language and facial expressions, which is outside the scope of articulation and primarily concerns broader communication skills rather than specific speech production.