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inarticulation

inarticulation

8.8
Not being able to speak clearly so other people understand you
  • noun
  • /ˌɪnɑːrˌtɪkjuˈleɪʃən/
translation icon : inarticulación
  • His inarticulation during the presentation made it difficult for the audience to understand his main points.

Examples

  • In referring to this silent language, the poetic language turns into a metalanguage that conceives itself to be a sign of inarticulation.

    Academic text (2005)
  • In addition, "the mystery of X is a historical moment," a trace left by the "non-literate," the signature or mark on treaties: "The X was contradictory; it indicated inarticulation."

    Academic text (2008)
  • After the accident, she struggled with inarticulation, finding it hard to express her thoughts clearly.

  • The teacher noticed his inarticulation when he tried to explain his ideas in class.

Synonyms

inarticulateness
vsinarticulation
1 9.1

Not able to say thoughts or feelings clearly when speaking

applies to both speech and writing rather than mainly speech
inarticulacy
vsinarticulation
1 8.7

Not being able to speak or write clearly

covers both total inability and milder difficulty expressing ideas or speaking
Broca's aphasia
vsinarticulation
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A condition in which a person understands others but cannot speak or write well

is a severe clinical impairment, not the broader everyday difficulty
incoherency
vsinarticulation
1 7.5

A lack of clear, organized speech or writing that makes it hard to follow

refers to trouble expressing ideas or speaking clearly rather than only disorganization
aphemia
vsinarticulation
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A condition in which a person cannot speak but can still understand language

is limited to loss of speech, while the main term covers broader expression problems
acataphasia
vsinarticulation
  • Specialized
9.9

A condition in which a person cannot form clear sentences after brain injury

is a general difficulty not limited to a neurological disorder

Antonyms

20 6.1

The skill of speaking clearly and strongly to persuade people

9 4.6

To express thoughts or feelings clearly in words

How Articulate

eloquence
20 6.1
inarticulation
8.8
mumbling
6 3.6
hesitation
110 2.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

inarticulation = inarticulate (transparent) = in + articulate + ion

This is a clear noun formation meaning the state or condition of being inarticulate.

Etymology

The word inarticulation breaks into in- 'not' and articulation, the same root as articulate, which means 'clear speaking'. So inarticulation describes when someone's words do not join into clear sentences and they have trouble saying or explaining their ideas.