Speech processing refers to the technology and methods used to analyze, interpret, and manipulate human speech. It involves converting spoken language into a format that computers can understand, enabling applications like voice recognition and text-to-speech systems. This field combines elements of linguistics, computer science, and signal processing to improve communication between humans and machines. By using algorithms and models, speech processing can enhance voice clarity, recognize different accents, and even identify speakers, making it a vital component in modern technology such as virtual assistants and automated customer service.