coarticulation
Pronunciation: ko-ar-TIK-you-LAY-shun
The overlapping and blending of articulatory movements during connected speech production.
Full Definition
Coarticulation refers to the natural phenomenon where speech sounds influence the production of adjacent sounds, resulting in efficient, fluid speech patterns. This process involves anticipatory coarticulation (preparing for upcoming sounds) and carryover coarticulation (influence of preceding sounds) that create the seamless flow of connected speech. Understanding coarticulation is essential for speech-language pathologists when assessing and treating speech sound disorders, as normal coarticulatory patterns may mask or reveal underlying production difficulties. Disrupted coarticulation can indicate motor speech disorders or developmental speech delays.
Usage
Usage note: Single word, no hyphenation; distinguish from assimilation processes and phonological rules.
In Context
- "Normal coarticulation patterns were disrupted in connected speech samples." — Assessment findings
- "The treatment targets improved coarticulation for enhanced speech naturalness." — Therapy goals