What is the Difference Between Articulation and Pronunciation?

The difference between articulation and pronunciation lies in the production of speech sounds and the clarity of speech.

• Articulation refers to the act of producing individual speech sounds using various speech organs, such as the tongue, jaws, and lips. It is the process of making sounds through the movement of these organs, and in phonology, much emphasis is placed on articulation. In summary, articulation is the act of:
• Using speech organs to produce sounds
• Changing speech sounds by moving teeth, lips, and tongue
• Pronunciation refers to the way words need to be sounded when speaking, according to the language's rules. It is the manner in which a word is pronounced, including stress and intonation. A person's pronunciation can be described as gradable, meaning it can be better or worse. In summary, pronunciation is:
• The way words need to be sounded when speaking
• The manner in which a word is pronounced, including stress and intonation

In essence, articulation focuses on the production of individual speech sounds, while pronunciation is concerned with the correct and clear sounding of words. It is possible to pronounce words without articulation or enunciation, but it is not possible to articulate or enunciate without correct pronunciation.

Comparative Table: Articulation vs Pronunciation

The difference between articulation and pronunciation can be summarized as follows:

In essence, articulation is concerned with the physical production of sounds using speech organs, while pronunciation is about the correct sounds and stress patterns of words when speaking.