Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒɪbəl/

Definitions

• Capable of being understood or comprehended.
• Clear enough to be grasped or interpreted.
• Referring to speech, writing, or signals that can be easily understood without confusion.

Usage Examples

• "His handwriting is not intelligible at all, it's hard to read."
• "The instructions were simple and intelligible to all the participants."
• "The explanation was so clear and intelligible that everyone understood immediately."

Etymology

From the Latin word "intelligibilis," meaning "able to be understood," which is derived from "intelligere," meaning "to understand." The word "intelligible" entered English around the 16th century, with the sense of something that could be understood or comprehended by the mind.

Synonyms

• Clear
• Comprehensible
• Understandable
• Readable
• Lucid

Antonyms

• Unintelligible
• Incomprehensible
• Obscure
• Confusing
• Cryptic

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

The pronunciation of "intelligible" remains relatively consistent across different English-speaking regions. However, regional accents may slightly modify the vowel sounds, such as the "i" in the first syllable, where American English tends to pronounce it as a short /ɪ/ sound, while British English may lean towards a more rounded /ɪ/ sound.

Historical Usage

The word "intelligible" has been used in English since the 16th century, derived from the Latin "intelligibilis." It has consistently been used to describe the clarity of spoken or written communication, especially in contrast to things that are difficult to understand or comprehend.

Cultural Nuances

In cultures with diverse dialects or languages, "intelligibility" is crucial for effective communication, particularly in multilingual societies. What is considered intelligible can vary greatly between languages and communities, as some dialects or language structures may be more difficult for outsiders to understand. In some contexts, intelligibility might be sacrificed in favor of expressiveness, while in other contexts, such as academic settings, clarity is prioritized.

More Information

Intelligibility is a key concept in fields such as linguistics, speech therapy, language education, and communication. Efforts to improve intelligibility often involve adjusting speech patterns, simplifying language, and improving pronunciation. In the context of technology, intelligibility also plays a role in speech recognition systems, ensuring that machines can accurately interpret spoken language. In the modern world, with an increasing emphasis on global communication, intelligibility continues to be a fundamental aspect of effective interaction between people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.