Developing Articulation.

What is articulation?

Articulation describes how the tongue,  jaw, lips and other speech organs correspond in creating a sound. When someone is very articulate, it means that they can speak very clearly and is very distinct in sounding out all of their syllables.

Articulation refers to the supra-laryngeal activity:

• Your manner of articulation ( Tap, trill, stricture),
• Nasality,
• Location of the maximum constriction of the vocal tract.

Speaking in general terms concerning articulation, is held to be a distinctive character in our spoken speech. This is contrasted with our inarticulate speech such as: Laughing; crying; yelling; moaning and groaning; and with more or less analogous utterances.

Why would you want to become more articulate?

For every public speaker, mastering articulation is compulsory. You want your audience to be able to clearly hear what you're saying and have the least amount of effort in understanding it. Not getting your point across clearly enough can put people off and can ruin your speech.

Being articulated in your speech is useful when communicating with people normally also, you don't have to repeat yourself as often and can be precisely understood.

1. Strengthen the articulatory organs.

These exercises will help in developing your facial and other muscles that are associated with speaking. When using these exercises, focus on how your tongue and facial muscles move to accommodate different sounds.

Try to practice tongue twisters daily publicly and non-publicly, while saying these, implement these steps:

• Speak slowly and carefully enunciating each syllable,
• Repeat at a slow speed until you have it mastered, then take it up a notch and try to perfect that. Repeat this process, slowly increasing the tempo in which you say the tongue twisters, until you can say it proficiently and sharply at normal speed. 

2. Practice reading aloud.

Try reading a complex and challenging. book, in which large words are used and have to be read in an articulate and clear mannerism. 

Non-fiction books are the best for this exercise. For example the King James Bible uses many complex and intriguing words which need a careful approach. It is also said that the King James Bible helped develop English speech and our understanding of the language.

3. Breathing exercise.

Practice breathing exercises, this can help with gaining control of your dialogue and the speed in which you deliver it at.