Coarticulation is a phonetic phenomenon where the articulation of one sound influences the production of another sound in speech. This occurs because the movements of the lips, tongue, and other speech organs overlap when producing adjacent sounds, making them sound more fluid and connected. For example, when saying the word “cat,” the way the lips and tongue move for the /k/ sound can affect how the /æ/ sound is produced. This process is essential for natural speech and helps listeners understand spoken language more easily. Coarticulation can vary based on factors like the speaker's accent or the speed of speech, impacting how sounds are perceived. Understanding coarticulation is important in fields like linguistics and speech therapy.