Glossary of Common Speech and Language Terms

Auditory Processing - refers to the ability to process information which has been presented verbally.

Expressive Language - refers to an individuals ability to express their wants, thoughts and needs verbally. 

Expressive Vocabulary - an individual's ability to verbally use and define spoken or written word.

Fluency - refers to an individuals ability to speak in a continuous, smooth manner.  Some examples of dysfluency may be repeating the first sound of a word, stretching the sound in a word or words and repeating a whole word.  Often this may occur with other gestures or expressions of frustration (concomitant factors - those that occur along or accompany with dysfluencies).

Oral Motor - refers to to muscles and structures that make up the mouth and throat. 

Pragmatic Language - refers to the social aspect of language.  For example, does a person use appropriate words or tone for a situation, are they able to keep a conversation flowing...

Problem Solving -  the ability to take information presented either verbally or in written form, and use it along with other information to complete a task.

Receptive Language - refers to an individual's ability to understand or comprehend language.

Receptive Vocabulary - an individuals ability to understand and identify an object/occurrence when presented with its label/name or picture.

Voice -  any unusual quality to voice production.  For example, a voice may be too high in pitch, too loud or soft for a situation, hoarse or breathy sounding...

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