dizione

Dizione is the Italian term for enunciation and articulation in speech. It describes how clearly and accurately words are pronounced, including the articulation of consonants and vowels, the boundaries between syllables, and the rhythm and intonation of speech. Dizione is distinct from pronunciation (pronuncia), which refers to the actual phonetic realization of words in a language, and from articulation (articolazione), which concerns the physical production of sounds. In typical usage, dizione also encompasses prosody—the cadence, tempo, and melodic contour of spoken language.

In linguistic and speech-communication contexts, dizione focuses on how speech sounds are produced and perceived in everyday talk. It involves the clarity of sound production, the appropriate shaping of vowels and consonants, and the management of speech flow to maximize intelligibility across audiences and communicative situations.

In performing arts, particularly theatre and singing, dizione denotes the practice of delivering words so they are easily understood by the audience without sacrificing vocal quality. Training often targets crisp consonants, well-formed vowels, consistent syllable timing, breath coordination, and controlled articulation that fits the style and tempo of the text or music. Dialectal influence may be minimized or adapted to suit a role or repertoire, always balancing legibility with expressive voice.

Assessment of dizione is usually qualitative, based on listening and feedback. In research and electroacoustic analysis, phonetic methods can quantify aspects of articulation and enunciation to support evaluations of speech clarity. See also diction, enunciation, articulation, pronunciation, phonetics.