subvocally

Subvocally is an adverb describing actions performed through subvocalization—the silent articulation of speech that produces little to no audible sound. Subvocalization itself is the neural and muscular process of silently “speaking” words—moving the lips, tongue, and larynx to a limited extent or only in the mind—without producing audible speech. The term is often used in discussions of reading, memory, and cognitive rehearsal, where individuals may subvocalize to encode or retrieve phonological information.

In reading, subvocalization is common and can help with pronunciation, phonemic awareness, and comprehension, especially for beginners or unfamiliar text. It can also slow reading speed when the reader attempts to articulate each word internally at a normal pace. Some speed-reading approaches aim to reduce subvocalization to increase throughput, though the effectiveness of such strategies varies with material and reader.

Neurocognitively, subvocalization engages speech-related motor networks and phonological processing areas in the brain, including regions in the left hemisphere associated with language production and auditory imagery. Electromyography of laryngeal muscles and neuroimaging have shown that subvocal processes can occur even without vocal output, indicating a close coupling between language planning and sensory representation.

Subvocally is not a distinct cognitive function but a descriptive term for the manner in which inner or silent speech is engaged during tasks. It is related to, but not identical with, inner speech or covert articulation.

See also: subvocalization, inner speech, phonological loop.