Integrating Articulation Methods from Tajweed into Speech-Language Pathology: A Contrastive Analysis and Narrative Review

Research Question: How can articulation methods from tajweed inform speech-language pathology (SLP) to enhance articulation accuracy and culturally responsive practices? Approach and Methods: This study combines a contrastive analysis and a narrative review to explore how articulation techniques from tajweed, a 1400-year-old science central to Quranic recitation, align with and inform modern SLP practices. The narrative review contextualises the historical significance of tajweed and its relevance to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations, while the contrastive analysis systematically compares the shared and unique articulation methods between tajweed and SLP. This interdisciplinary exploration aims to uncover opportunities for integrating culturally specific practices into SLP to enhance intervention outcomes. Data: Tajweed and SLP share common strategies for improving articulation accuracy, including precise articulation placement training, auditory modelling by experts, repetition, and feedback. Tajweed emphasises the accurate place and manner of articulation, closely aligning with motor speech interventions in SLP. Despite differing objectives—tajweed aiming to preserve sacred oral tradition and SLP focusing on optimising communication outcomes—these methods demonstrate shared foundational practices. Expected Results: Integrating tajweed methods into SLP can improve articulation accuracy and provide culturally responsive strategies for working with Muslim clients. Tajweed’s structured and precise articulation techniques offer a valuable complement to evidence-based practices in SLP. Conclusion: Tajweed and SLP share overlapping techniques, such as repetition, feedback, and phonetic placement instruction. Incorporating tajweed methods into SLP broadens the evidence-based strategies available to practitioners, particularly for CALD clients. Future research in SLP could empirically validate traditional tajweed practices, further enriching interdisciplinary approaches to culturally responsive care.