What does intelligibility refer to?

Intelligibility refers to the degree to which speech is understood by others. This concept encompasses not just the clarity of individual speech sounds but also factors such as speech patterns, volume, pitch, and the listener's familiarity with the speaker's accent or manner of speaking. In the context of speech-language pathology, assessing intelligibility is crucial as it impacts effective communication and the overall ability to convey messages. Enhanced intelligibility indicates that a speaker's communication is clearer and more easily understood, which is essential for effective interaction in various settings, including social and educational environments.