nonenunciable

Nonenunciable is an adjective used to describe propositions, statements, or ideas that cannot be enunciated, i.e., expressed as a meaningful utterance, within a given language or theoretical framework. The term is most common in philosophy of language, semantics, and logic, where it is used to discuss the limits of articulation and the distinction between what can be stated and what cannot be adequately expressed.

Etymology and scope: the word combines the prefix non- with enunciable (able to be enunciated), from enunciate, which traces to Latin enunciare. In practice, nonenunciable signals that a claim is considered beyond the expressive reach of a particular linguistic or conceptual system, due to issues such as ineffability, conceptual opacity, or paradox.

Usage and interpretation: discussions of ineffable experiences, certain metaphysical claims, or paradoxical statements often invoke nonenunciable as a characterization. In such cases, any attempt to assert the claim in ordinary language would be incomplete, misleading, or logically problematic. The label can be context-dependent, applying only within a specific language, theory, or cultural frame.

Relation to other terms: nonenunciable is related to but distinct from terms like ineffable, inexpressible, or unutterable. Some scholars favor alternative formulations, arguing that with sufficient technical vocabulary or reformulation, a previously nonenunciable claim may become expressible.

See also: ineffable, ineffability, inexpressible, paradox, philosophy of language.