slurring

Slurring is a term used in different fields to describe a range of effects that blur or degrade distinct articulation or meaning. It can refer to speech, language, music, and social interaction, each with its own context and implications.

In everyday and clinical use, slurred speech describes reduced clarity where consonants and vowels are not enunciated distinctly. Causes include alcohol or drug intoxication, fatigue, or neurological conditions such as dysarthria, stroke, or Parkinson’s disease. Slurred speech can affect intelligibility and may be a sign that medical assessment is needed, especially if it begins suddenly or worsens.

In linguistics and phonetics, slurring can describe the blending or merging of adjacent sounds during rapid speech. This results from coarticulation and reduced articulatory precision and is a common feature of casual speech across languages. While it can hinder understanding in some contexts, it is also a natural aspect of fluent, connected speech.

In music, a slur is a curved line connecting notes of different pitches to indicate legato phrasing. The term “slurring” may be used to describe performing under a slur, guiding smooth, connected articulation rather than rearticulating each note.

In social language, a slur refers to a derogatory or insulting term aimed at a person or group, often tied to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. The use of slurs is widely considered harmful and inappropriate, and in many settings it constitutes harassment or hate speech.

See also: speech pathology, dysarthria, legato, hate speech, derogatory language.