Articulation refers to the physical movements of the mouth, tongue, and throat that are necessary for clear and accurate speech. When we speak, we use a complex series of coordinated movements to create sounds that are recognizable as speech. These movements involve the lips, teeth, tongue, palate, and vocal cords.
Proper articulation is important for effective communication. When a person has difficulty with articulation, it may be difficult for others to understand what they are saying. Some common articulation errors include substituting one sound for another (e.g. "wabbit" instead of "rabbit"), leaving out sounds (e.g. "ick" instead of "stick"), or distorting sounds (e.g. "thith" instead of "this").