What influences articulatory undershoot in connected speech?

Articulatory undershoot in connected speech primarily occurs as a result of the rate of speech production. When individuals speak quickly, their articulatory movements may become less precise due to the constraints of time, leading to less complete or reduced articulation of certain sounds. This phenomenon is particularly evident in connected speech, where words blend together and articulatory targets may be less accurately achieved compared to slower, more deliberate speech.

As speakers attempt to maintain fluency and speed, they might simplify sounds, leading to phenomena such as vowel reduction or consonant elision. These adjustments can make speech more efficient but can also lead to reduced clarity of individual phonemes. Therefore, the rate of speech production is a critical factor in influencing the degree of articulatory undershoot, highlighting the relationship between speech tempo and articulatory precision.