fluency

Fluency refers to the ease, smoothness, and continuity with which a person can produce language. It encompasses both spoken and written forms, though the criteria differ: speech emphasizes cadence and rhythm, while writing emphasizes coherence and flow.

In linguistics and language teaching, fluency is commonly assessed by speaking rate, mean length of utterance, and the incidence of disfluencies such as pauses, repetitions, and fillers. Higher fluency implies faster, more automatic production and fewer disruptions, though it does not always guarantee accuracy.

In second-language learning, fluency involves automatic language processing and the ability to convey messages without excessive cognitive load. It is often pursued alongside accuracy, with emphasis on practice, extensive listening and speaking exposure, and task-based activities that promote real-time use rather than slow, deliberate planning.

In writing, fluency reflects ease of composition and readability, including coherent organization, varied sentence structures, and appropriate vocabulary. Fluency can be supported by planning, drafting, and revision processes that improve transitions and pacing.

Fluency is also studied in cognitive psychology as processing fluency, the subjective ease of processing information, which can influence judgments of truth, preference, and trust. In clinical contexts, fluency disorders such as stuttering affect speaking fluency and are treated by speech-language pathologists.