What is meant by "speech intelligibility"?

Speech intelligibility refers to how clearly and understandably spoken language can be perceived by a listener. It encompasses not just the clarity of individual sounds and words, but also factors like phonetic accuracy and the overall coherence of speech in context. When assessing speech intelligibility, listeners evaluate whether they can accurately comprehend the words and messages being conveyed.

The other options touch on aspects related to speech but do not capture the full essence of intelligibility. Articulating words clearly highlights the importance of pronunciation, yet it’s just one component of intelligibility. The quality of sound produced in the mouth pertains more to the physical characteristics of speech sounds rather than how well they are understood. Lastly, the speed at which someone speaks can impact intelligibility, but it does not define it; someone can speak quickly but still maintain clear and understandable speech. Hence, the best representation of speech intelligibility is its clarity and understandability, which is effectively captured in the chosen answer.