Growing up, I had to work with a speech pathologist to learn how to pronounce words correctly.

And let me tell you, as an Aussie, that’s no easy feat as we’re not exactly known for our crystal-clear articulation. (if y’know whadimean mate?)

I still remember when I first visited the USA, people genuinely couldn’t understand what I was saying which made me realize that if I wanted to connect, I had to get serious about how I spoke.

The Simple Trick To Speak More Articulately 

If you want to sound more articulate, it starts with overdoing your mouth movements.

I know that sounds strange and might even feel a bit theatrical at first, but when you exaggerate how you move your mouth, you’ll begin to pronounce each syllable with much more clarity.  

That’s the key to crisp, confident speech.

Try this for five minutes a day. 

Grab a book and read it out loud. But as you read, over-pronounce every single word (don’t be afraid to feel ridiculous). You’re not trying to sound British, you’re simply training your vocal muscle.

And if someone tells you you’re trying too hard, just smile and keep going. 😊

Articulation is a skill, and like any skill, it improves with deliberate practice.

Vocal Energy Changes Everything

A big part of sounding articulate is vocal energy.

I often see people trail off or mumble because their energy drops mid-sentence. Their voice fades, the presence disappears and suddenly whatever they’re saying loses impact.

Here’s a simple exercise to change that; 

Count from 1 to 10. But say each number with the exact same level of energy. From the first number to the last, stay consistent. Don’t trail off.

This simple exercise can help you to build vocal control. 

And, when you combine that kind of vocal energy with intentional annunciation, your voice becomes stronger, clearer, and far more engaging!

How to Sound Less Nasally

Sounding ‘nasally’ is a result of your voice getting trapped in the nose. But often, what we think is nasality is actually a lack of vocal energy or lazy articulation.

If you energise your speech and project from your chest, that nasal tone starts to disappear on its own. 

You don’t need to force a deep voice, you just need to speak with intention and resonance.

Key Takeaway

Pronouncing your words with crisp articulation is as simple as training your facial muscles to actively pronounce each syllable, and maintaining a consistent level of vocal energy.