What does articulatory undershoot imply in speech?

Articulatory undershoot refers to the phenomenon where the articulators (like the tongue, lips, and jaw) do not move to their intended positions for producing sounds, resulting in less precise articulation. This often occurs in connected speech where the speaker prioritizes fluency and speed over the distinctiveness of each phoneme. Thus, when we discuss reduced effort in sound production, it highlights that the articulators may not reach the full extent needed to produce the sounds distinctly, leading to a more relaxed or less forceful articulation.

In conversational speech, individuals may not exert as much effort into each sound when they speak quickly, which can contribute to reduced clarity. In these circumstances, the sounds may blend together, affecting intelligibility but also showcasing the speaker's ability to communicate effectively with less articulatory precision. This phenomenon is particularly relevant in the context of casual conversation where rapid speech patterns are frequent.