Nasaalisesti

Nasaalisesti is a term used to describe a nasal quality of speech. It occurs when the soft palate, also known as the velum, does not close properly against the back of the throat during the production of certain sounds, particularly vowels. This allows air to escape through the nasal cavity, even when it is not intended to.

The most common causes of nasaalisesti in speech are related to the structure and function of the velopharyngeal mechanism. This includes conditions such as a cleft palate, which is a congenital malformation where the roof of the mouth does not fuse completely. It can also result from neurological conditions that affect muscle control, such as stroke or certain neuromuscular disorders. Surgical removal of tonsils or adenoids, if not managed correctly, can also sometimes lead to changes in speech resonance.

Nasaalisesti can affect speech intelligibility and sound naturalness. In spoken language, it is often perceived as a "talking through the nose" sound. The degree of nasality can vary significantly, ranging from mild to severe. Speech therapy is a common intervention used to address nasaalisesti, focusing on exercises to improve velopharyngeal closure and retrain the muscles involved in speech production. In some cases, surgical or prosthetic interventions may be necessary to correct the underlying anatomical or physiological issues.