lip-read
Decode silent speech
To lip-read is to understand speech by watching the speaker's mouth movements rather than hearing the words.
People who are deaf or hard of hearing often develop this skill: She lip-read the conversation from across the room.
Also called speechreading.
The ability varies widely—even skilled lip-readers miss much of what's said.
Minimal sound distinctions
- vowelsLetters with unblocked airflow
- consonantsLetters that aren't vowels
- syllablesUnits of pronunciation
- homophonesIdentically pronounced words
Interpreting spoken language visually
- decipheringInterpreting coded information
- comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
attention · practice · training · proficiency · fluency · accuracy · anticipation
Communication through gestures
- captioningAdding text to media
- accessibilityEase of approach
- accommodationShelter or housing provided
- audiologistHearing disorder specialist
CART · subtitles · interpreter · TTY · oralism · mainstreaming · inclusion
Systematic observation of subjects
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
- classroomEducational instruction space
- meetingGathering for discussion
- concertLive musical performance
restaurant · party · interview · courtroom · hospital · window · television
phonemes
Minimal sound distinctions
- vowelsLetters with unblocked airflow
- consonantsLetters that aren't vowels
- syllablesUnits of pronunciation
speechreading
Interpreting spoken language visually
- decipheringInterpreting coded information
- comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
- interpretationAssigned meaning
concentration · attention · practice · training · proficiency · fluency · accuracy · anticipation
sign-language
Communication through gestures
- captioningAdding text to media
- accessibilityEase of approach
- accommodationShelter or housing provided
audiologist · CART · subtitles · interpreter · TTY · oralism · mainstreaming · inclusion
surveillance
Systematic observation of subjects
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
- classroomEducational instruction space
- meetingGathering for discussion
concert · restaurant · party · interview · courtroom · hospital · window · television
homophones
Identically pronounced words
- ambiguityOpenness to multiple interpretations
- obstructionsThings that block passage
- mustacheUpper lip hair
distance · lighting · accents · mumbling · masks · backlighting · fatigue · guesswork