Artikulatsioon

Artikulatsioon is a cross-disciplinary term used to describe how parts come together to produce movement or sound. In general, it can refer to a mechanical joint, the production of speech sounds, or the manner in which notes are performed in music.

In anatomy, an articulation (joint) is the point where two bones meet and move relative to each other. Joints are classified by tissue type into fibrous (immovable), cartilaginous (partly movable), and synovial (freely movable). Synovial joints contain a capsule, articular cartilage, synovial fluid, and ligaments. Examples include the elbow hinge and the shoulder ball-and-socket, which enable a wide range of motions while providing stability.

In linguistics, articulation refers to how speech sounds are produced using the vocal tract. The place of articulation (bilabial, dental, alveolar, palatal, velar, glottal, etc.) and the manner of articulation (stop, fricative, nasal, approximant, etc.) determine sound identity, with voicing and coarticulation influencing quality and transition between sounds.

In music, articulation describes how notes are started, connected, and released, shaping their expressive character. Common types include legato (smooth, connected), staccato (short and detached), and tenuto (held for full value). Articulation marks guide performers in phrasing, emphasis, and the tactile quality of a musical line.