What term describes the inability to speak or speak clearly?

The term that describes the inability to speak or speak clearly is expressive aphasia. This condition occurs when a person has difficulty expressing themselves verbally, which means they may struggle to find the right words, form sentences, or articulate their thoughts properly. This type of aphasia is often the result of damage to the language centers of the brain, particularly in the frontal lobe, which is responsible for speech production.

Individuals with expressive aphasia may understand what others are saying and may be fully aware of their own difficulties in communicating, leading to frustration. They may use incomplete sentences or jumbled words, making it challenging for others to understand them. Overall, expressive aphasia specifically highlights the troubles related to articulating speech rather than understanding language or other types of communication.

In contrast, receptive aphasia pertains to difficulties in understanding spoken language. Dysphagia refers to swallowing difficulties, and emotional lability involves rapid and extreme emotional changes, not directly related to speech production or clarity.