Enunciation, a Suprasegmental feature

1. Jimenez, Hannah Sophia G.
BSE English I-2
SUPRASEGMENTALS: ENUNCIATION
I. INTRODUCTION/ CHAPTER OVERVIEW
For listeners, one of the most irritating speaker’s habits is that s/he doesn’t enunciate
the words clearly. When you don’t try to pronounce each syllable of each word properly and
words get slurred together, it can be hard for listeners, audiences, interviewers, etc., to decode
what you're saying. You can have an excellent speech, with great ideas and a wonderful
layout, but without proper enunciation the meaning will be lost. Words don’t do you or your
audience much good if they cannot be understood. That is why learning to enunciate properly
is important. In this lesson, we will deal with enunciation, its’ definition, etymology, and
importance as well as common enunciation problems, and its’ difference with pronunciation.
We will also tackle some exercises to improve enunciation and will help you to remove bad
habits of yours when it comes to enunciating.
II. OBJECTIVES
 Define enunciation and comprehend its’ importance even in our day-to-day
conversation;
 Recognize common enunciation problems/issues;
 Examine and interpret the difference between enunciation and pronunciation; and
 Learn ways to improve enunciation and apply the concepts.
III. CONTENT
A. Enunciation: Definition, Etymology, and Importance
Enunciation is a crucial element in communication. As defined in Webster Dictionary,
enunciation is a mode of utterance or pronunciation, especially as regards fullness and
distinctness or articulation as to speak with a clear or impressive enunciation. To simplify,
Cambridge Dictionary defined Enunciation as the act of pronouncing words or parts of words
clearly. It is also known as articulation or making yourself understood (Huber, 2021). The word
enunciate comes from the Latin word nuntiare, meaning "to report or declare" (Merriam
Webster Dictionary, n.d.).
Proper enunciation is essential for the audience to understand what the speaker is trying
to say or imply during a speech or even in day-to-day conversation. Having good enunciation
includes properly saying words and syllables, opening one’s mouth appropriately (as opposed
to mumbling) when speaking and monitoring the speed of speaking to make your words clear

2. and distinct (Collins, 2015). Without proper enunciation, sentence can be a mess but by
enunciating your words, your audience will easily understand even the most difficult, tongue-
twisty lines (Hishon, 2016).
Furthermore, having a good enunciation, your listeners will form a better impression of
you as you speak, thinking of you as calculated and thoughtful in your diction (Ward, 2020).
Tripping over your words in even in a small talk can be a large source of insecurity for many.
After all, it can be frustrating to have great ideas but have zero ability to communicate them.
Strong, spoken enunciation is often associated with being more intelligent and more capable
(Economy, 2019). Next, it allows the listeners to focus on the messageyou’re communicating,
rather than being distracted by the way you’re expressing yourself (Ward, 2020). It might be
helpful to remember that the two most important elements of the speech are the message and
the audience/listener (lumen, n.d.). You are the conduit with the important role of putting the
two together in an effective way. Your audience should be thinking about the message, not
the delivery.
B. Common Enunciation Problems
Enunciation problems can take several forms. White (n.d.) and Larsson (n.d.) includes few
examples such as:
 Dropping “g” sounds: Saying things like “He’s goin’ to the store” instead of fully
forming the “g” sound at the end of the word “going”.
 Blending words improperly: Combining words in a manner that is not correct, such as
saying “gonna” instead of “going to”
 Omission of sounds: Saying “probly” instead of “probably”
 Speaking too quickly :Talking so fast that words run together so that listeners can’t be
sure where one word ends, and another begins. For example, saying “whadayado”
instead of “what do you do.”
 Muttering: Speaking softly, in a manner often referred to as “under your breath” so that
other people can’t tell what you are saying
 Mumbling: Speaking indistinctly and in a low voice so that words run together and can
be difficult for a listener to distinguish
Overcoming enunciation issues involves not only pronouncing words properly, but also
making sure to articulate (speak clearly) each word and to speak up sothat your voice properly
projects.
C. Enunciation vs. Pronunciation
Enunciation and Pronunciation are important elements that deal with clarity and
accuracy in the spoken language. It is not possible to master a language without proper

3. enunciation and pronunciation. Paying attention to enunciation and pronunciation also helps
you to communicate better. The following table shows the main difference between
enunciation and pronunciation from Collins (2015).
Enunciation Pronunciation
Definition Saying the word clearly
and concisely
Saying a word correctly
Areas Involves paying attention
to the projection of
syllables, movement of
your mouth and the speed
of speaking
Involves making the
correct sound and paying
attention to word stress
and pitch
Changes Words does not change
as enunciation only
involves speaking clearly
Words might differ due to
dialects and varieties of
the language
You could pronounce a word correctly but enunciate poorly. For example, you could
make the sounds associated with a word correctly (pronunciation) yet mumble as you are
speaking or use a rate of speech that is so fast that the words run together (poor enunciation).
You could also enunciate properly yet mispronounce a word. You could speak clearly and
distinctly (enunciation) yet use the wrong syllable emphasis or letter sounds for the words you
are saying (mispronunciation) (White, n.d.). Anyone who can articulate can learn to enunciate.
Pronunciation depends on your language (e.g., English, Spanish, Japanese), your region, and
your background (Elder, n.d.).
D. How to Improve Enunciation
Improving your ability to enunciate requires practicing how you speak and being mindful
of doing so in a way that leads to clear communication that is easily understood by other
people. White (n.d.) listed some activities that can help to improve enunciation:
 Self-Evaluation: Record yourself having a conversation with another person to analyze
how you are speaking. Be honest with yourself about how you come across.
 Articulation Practice: Make a list of words you use regularly as well as less familiar
terms that are hard to say, then practice speaking them aloud clearly and distinctly. If
necessary, look up how these words should be pronounced, then spend time saying
each of them out loud very slowly.
 Breathing Exercises:Make sure you are breathing properly while you speak as this will
help make sure you have sufficient air to form words clearly and speak at an

4. appropriate pace. Use deep breathing exercises to help improve your ability to breathe
properly while speaking.
IV.EXERCISES
A. Identify what is being asked in the following sentences. Write your answer before
each number.
1. What is the Latin word that enunciation comes from that means "to report
or declare"?
2. It refers to an act of speaking often referred to as “under your breath”.
3. It is to speak vaguely and in a low voice so that words run together.
4.What are the two important elements that deal with clarity and accuracy in the
spoken language?
5.What are the two most important elements of the speech?
B. Fill in the blanks.
Directions: Fill each individual blank with the appropriate word to summarize the
difference of enunciation from pronunciation depending on their definition, areas, and
changes (3 points).
Enunciation Pronunciation
Definition Saying a word ________ Saying a word ________
Areas Involves paying attention
to the projection of
_______ and movement
of your mouth and the
speed of speaking
Involves making the
correct sound and paying
attention to word ______
and _______
Changes Words _______ change
as enunciation only
involves speaking clearly
Words ______ due to
dialects and varieties of
the language
C. Enumerate the following:
a. Three common enunciation problems (3 points).
b. Two importance of having proper enunciation (2 points).
c. Two ways to improve enunciation (2 points).
Key Answer
A. Identification

5. 1. Nuntiare
2. Muttering
3. Mumbling
4. Enunciation and Pronunciation
5. Message and audience/listener
B.
Enunciation Pronunciation
Definition Saying the word clearly
and/or concisely
Saying a word correctly
Areas Involves paying attention
to the projection of
syllables, movement of
your mouth and the speed
of speaking.
Involves making the
correct sound and paying
attention to word stress
and pitch.
Changes Words does not change
as enunciation only
involves speaking clearly
Words might differ due to
dialects and varieties of
the language.
C. Enumeration
a. The answers must be any of the following:
-dropping “g” sounds
-blending words improperly
-speaking too quickly
-muttering
-mumbling
b. The answers should focus on the following concepts:
- To understand what the speaker is trying to say or imply during a speech or even
in day-to-day conversation.
- Listeners will form a better impression of you as you speak.
- Strong, spoken enunciation is often associated with being more intelligent and
more capable.
- It allows the listeners to focus on the message you’re communicating, rather than
being distracted by the way you’re expressing yourself.
c. The answers must be any of the following:
- self-evaluation

6. -articulation practice
-breathing exercises
V. SUMMARY
 Enunciation is the act of pronouncing words or parts of words clearly. The word
enunciate comes from the Latin word nuntiare, meaning "to report or declare."
 Enunciation is a crucial element in communication. Proper enunciation is essential
for the audience to understand what the speaker is trying to say during a
conversation. Having a good enunciation, your listeners will form a better
impression of you as you speak and allows the listeners better able to focus on the
message you’re communicating, rather than being distracted by the way you’re
expressing yourself.
 Enunciation problems can take several forms. A few examples include dropping
“g” sounds, blending words improperly, omission of sounds, speaking too quickly,
muttering and mumbling.
 Enunciation is the act of saying a word clearly and concisely while Pronunciation
is the act of saying a word correctly.
 You could pronounce a word correctly but fail to enunciate properly. You could
also enunciate properly yet mispronounce a word.
 Self-evaluation, articulation practice, and breathing exercises helps to improve the
ability to enunciate.
VI. REFERENCES
Collins. (2015). Difference Between Enunciation and Pronunciation. Pediaa. Retrieved
October 10, 2021, from https://pediaa.com/difference-between-enunciation-and-
pronunciation/
Definitions for enunciation. What does enunciation mean? (n.d.). Retrieved October 9, 2021,
from https://www.definitions.net/definition/enunciation.
Elder, B. (2015, July 2). Articulation and enunciation: The mysteries behind your child's
language development. Integrated Learning Strategies. Retrieved October 10, 2021,
from https://ilslearningcorner.com/2015-07-articulation-and-enunciation-the-mysteries-
behind-your-childs-language-development/.
Hishon, K. (2018, March 13). 6 tips to improve enunciation. The Theatrefolk Blog. Retrieved
October 8, 2021, from https://www.theatrefolk.com/blog/6-tips-to-improve-enunciation/.

7. Huber, P. (2021, February 23). Pronunciation vs. Enunciation: What's the Difference?
Retrieved October 10, 2021 from Strategies for Parents: https://strategiesforparents.
com/pronunciation-vs-enunciation-whats-the-difference/
Larsson, G. (n.d.). Enunciation, Articulation, & Pronunciation. Retrieved October 10, 2021
from SlidePlayer: https://slideplayer.com/slide/16238816/
Locke, G. (2019, February 21). English Enunciation Problems. English Language Blog |
Language and Culture of the English-Speaking World.Retrieved October10, 2021, from
https://blogs.transparent.com/english/english-enunciation-problems/.
Rosato, M. (2014, April 1). The importance of enunciation and pronunciation. Prezi. Retrieved
October 10, 2021, from https://prezi.com/odyyc_pvqfjy/the-importance-of-enunciation-
and-pronunciation/.
SPCH 1311: Introduction to speech communication. Lumen. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10,
2021, from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atdcoursereview-speechcomm-
1/chapter/practicing-for-successful-speech-delivery/.
Ward, S. (2020, December 31). Why no one takes your speeches seriously. The Balance
Small Business. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://www.thebalancesmb.com/
speak-for-success-lesson-1-enunciation-2948543.
White, M. G. (n.d.). Pronunciation vs. enunciation: Differences made clear. Your Dictionary.
Retrieved October 8, 2021, from https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/vs/pronunciation-
vs-enunciation-differences-made-clear.html.