In pronunciation, which quality should be targeted to ensure effective communication, recognizing native-like pronunciation is rarely achieved?

In pronunciation, which quality should be targeted to ensure effective communication, recognizing native-like pronunciation is rarely achieved?

• A. Intelligibility
• B. Accuracy
• C. Fluency
• D. Pronunciation

Answer: (A)

Intelligibility is what really drives effective communication in pronunciation. The goal is for listeners to understand what you’re saying, not to sound like a native speaker. Even if you retain an accent, you can be easily understood by articulating sounds clearly, using natural rhythm and stress, and linking words so that the message flows. Native-like pronunciation is rarely achievable for most learners, so focusing on being understood makes communication reliable in real conversations. Accuracy contributes to correct sounds, but it doesn’t automatically guarantee understandability if speech is fast, choppy, or mis-chunked. Fluency helps with natural pace and ease, yet the bottom line for understanding is whether the listener can accurately parse the message. Pronunciation is the broader area, but the targeted quality for effective communication is intelligibility—the ability for others to comprehend what you mean.