Open Forum

Precision of language question:

articulation/enunciation/diction

I find myself using all of the above words more or less synonymously.  So, informal poll: which do you tend to use over the others, or are the distinct (if subtle) differences that mean different applications for each.

Trying to be a lot more disciplined about my teaching of vocabulary this year.  Stopped alternating between strategy and tactic and settled on "tactic," which seems to be the favored term in both EdTA's glossary and the glossary at nationalartssatndards.org, but this one is still plaguing me.


-------------------------------------------
Ryan Moore
Ferndale MI
-------------------------------------------

I use enunciation. One of the reasons I chose this word was because it allows for more specificity when discussing the actual sounds that the words are composed of. It helps a lot with students who are working with (or fighting against) accents. I think I would choose articulation as a second choice. I don't like diction because it feels limiting when working with accents and heightened language. 

-------------------------------------------
Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2014 14:59
From: Ryan Moore
Subject: articulation/enunciation/diction

Precision of language question:

articulation/enunciation/diction

I find myself using all of the above words more or less synonymously.  So, informal poll: which do you tend to use over the others, or are the distinct (if subtle) differences that mean different applications for each.

Trying to be a lot more disciplined about my teaching of vocabulary this year.  Stopped alternating between strategy and tactic and settled on "tactic," which seems to be the favored term in both EdTA's glossary and the glossary at nationalartssatndards.org, but this one is still plaguing me.


-------------------------------------------
Ryan Moore
Ferndale MI
-------------------------------------------

I steer clear away from 'diction', especially because of our district's choice of High School English curriculum, in which diction is thoroughly beaten into the students as a word meaning 'word choice', and in any case, it really doesn't mean the same thing as enunciation or articulation. Enunciation and articulation are pretty close in their percieved meaning, but to split hairs you can look at the dictionary definitions: Articulation: the quality, clarity or sharpness of speech Enunciation: mode of utterance or pronunciation, especially as regards fullness and distinctness When one says "he is articulate" we tend to mean "he speaks well"; when you say someone "enunciates well" you are saying "they speak clearly". I love these threads where my inner pedant gets to come out and play. 😄 ------------------------------------------- Phillip Goodchild Valrico FL -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 11-06-2014 14:59 From: Ryan Moore Subject: articulation/enunciation/diction Precision of language question: articulation/enunciation/diction I find myself using all of the above words more or less synonymously. So, informal poll: which do you tend to use over the others, or are the distinct (if subtle) differences that mean different applications for each. Trying to be a lot more disciplined about my teaching of vocabulary this year. Stopped alternating between strategy and tactic and settled on "tactic," which seems to be the favored term in both EdTA's glossary and the glossary at nationalartssatndards.org, but this one is still plaguing me. ------------------------------------------- Ryan Moore Ferndale MI -------------------------------------------

I had been gravitating toward enunciation as well due to "diction" and "articulation" having other uses or connotations, but I wanted to check in with others.



-------------------------------------------
Ryan Moore
Ferndale MI
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2014 20:55
From: Phillip Goodchild
Subject: articulation/enunciation/diction


I steer clear away from 'diction', especially because of our district's choice of High School English curriculum, in which diction is thoroughly beaten into the students as a word meaning 'word choice', and in any case, it really doesn't mean the same thing as enunciation or articulation.

Enunciation and articulation are pretty close in their percieved meaning, but to split hairs you can look at the dictionary definitions:
Articulation: the quality, clarity or sharpness of speech
Enunciation: mode of utterance or pronunciation, especially as regards fullness and distinctness

When one says "he is articulate" we tend to mean "he speaks well"; when you say someone "enunciates well" you are saying "they speak clearly".

I love these threads where my inner pedant gets to come out and play. 😄
-------------------------------------------
Phillip Goodchild
Valrico FL
-------------------------------------------

In linguistics, the word articulation is typically used to refer to the physical production of a speech sound. So I like to use that word when describing such production and to use enunciation, instead, when I am describing the clarity, distinctness, or completeness of the production of a sound. E.g.: "To articulate the consonant sound y in Anglo-Saxon, extend and round your lips while saying, "eee" and "When singing, strive to enunciate your word endings."

-------------------------------------------
Robert Shepherd
Director, Bell Creek Theatre Arts
Riverivew FL
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 11-07-2014 08:34
From: Ryan Moore
Subject: articulation/enunciation/diction

I had been gravitating toward enunciation as well due to "diction" and "articulation" having other uses or connotations, but I wanted to check in with others.



-------------------------------------------
Ryan Moore
Ferndale MI
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2014 20:55
From: Phillip Goodchild
Subject: articulation/enunciation/diction


I steer clear away from 'diction', especially because of our district's choice of High School English curriculum, in which diction is thoroughly beaten into the students as a word meaning 'word choice', and in any case, it really doesn't mean the same thing as enunciation or articulation.

Enunciation and articulation are pretty close in their percieved meaning, but to split hairs you can look at the dictionary definitions:
Articulation: the quality, clarity or sharpness of speech
Enunciation: mode of utterance or pronunciation, especially as regards fullness and distinctness

When one says "he is articulate" we tend to mean "he speaks well"; when you say someone "enunciates well" you are saying "they speak clearly".

I love these threads where my inner pedant gets to come out and play. 😄
-------------------------------------------
Phillip Goodchild
Valrico FL
-------------------------------------------

I have always used enunciation.  I don't know why, it's probably what was used when I was in school.  I've been trying to make the switch to articulation because that's what our regional and state adjudications sheets say, but so far it hasn't happened.  At this point my kids know that articulation = enunciation, so I'll just keep on using enunciation.

-------------------------------------------
Laura Steenson
Theatre Director
Reynolds High School
Troutdale OR
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 11-08-2014 17:22
From: Robert Shepherd
Subject: articulation/enunciation/diction

In linguistics, the word articulation is typically used to refer to the physical production of a speech sound. So I like to use that word when describing such production and to use enunciation, instead, when I am describing the clarity, distinctness, or completeness of the production of a sound. E.g.: "To articulate the consonant sound y in Anglo-Saxon, extend and round your lips while saying, "eee" and "When singing, strive to enunciate your word endings."

-------------------------------------------
Robert Shepherd
Director, Bell Creek Theatre Arts
Riverivew FL
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 11-07-2014 08:34
From: Ryan Moore
Subject: articulation/enunciation/diction

I had been gravitating toward enunciation as well due to "diction" and "articulation" having other uses or connotations, but I wanted to check in with others.



-------------------------------------------
Ryan Moore
Ferndale MI
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2014 20:55
From: Phillip Goodchild
Subject: articulation/enunciation/diction


I steer clear away from 'diction', especially because of our district's choice of High School English curriculum, in which diction is thoroughly beaten into the students as a word meaning 'word choice', and in any case, it really doesn't mean the same thing as enunciation or articulation.

Enunciation and articulation are pretty close in their percieved meaning, but to split hairs you can look at the dictionary definitions:
Articulation: the quality, clarity or sharpness of speech
Enunciation: mode of utterance or pronunciation, especially as regards fullness and distinctness

When one says "he is articulate" we tend to mean "he speaks well"; when you say someone "enunciates well" you are saying "they speak clearly".

I love these threads where my inner pedant gets to come out and play. 😄
-------------------------------------------
Phillip Goodchild
Valrico FL
-------------------------------------------

Enunciation. It's also fun to say, and when you say it slowly, it gets the point across.

eee-nun-see-ay-shun!

-------------------------------------------
Scott Piehler
Drama Director
Lilburn GA
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2014 14:59
From: Ryan Moore
Subject: articulation/enunciation/diction

Precision of language question:

articulation/enunciation/diction

I find myself using all of the above words more or less synonymously.  So, informal poll: which do you tend to use over the others, or are the distinct (if subtle) differences that mean different applications for each.

Trying to be a lot more disciplined about my teaching of vocabulary this year.  Stopped alternating between strategy and tactic and settled on "tactic," which seems to be the favored term in both EdTA's glossary and the glossary at nationalartssatndards.org, but this one is still plaguing me.


-------------------------------------------
Ryan Moore
Ferndale MI
-------------------------------------------

I call it "Making ugly faces." 

When students are actually committing to the shaping of words, they release from their deadpan, stony, too-cool-to-try attitude. When they are not, I accuse them of being "too pretty." Which gets a laugh, but also gets the point across.

I blame the Paris Hiltons and the Keanu Reaves's of the world. Those faces do not move, no matter what happens.

Tim

-------------------------------------------
Tim Mooney
"Acting at the Speed of Life"
Prospect Heights IL
-------------------------------------------