Which term describes speech characterized by a focus on sound rather than meaning?

The term that describes speech characterized by a focus on sound rather than meaning is clanging. In mental health contexts, clanging refers to a speech pattern where a person chooses words based on their sound rather than their semantic content. This can often appear as an unrelated series of rhymes, puns, or sound-alike words. It is more about the auditory elements of language rather than conveying coherent thoughts or ideas.

Clanging is often seen in certain mental health disorders, particularly those involving thought disorder, such as schizophrenia, where the connection between thoughts and meaningful expression may be disrupted. By recognizing clanging, clinicians can better understand the underlying cognitive processes affecting the individual's communication.

The other terms—phobias, obsessions, and compulsions—relate to anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, focusing instead on irrational fears, persistent thoughts, and repetitive behaviors, none of which pertain to the spoken expression focused on sound.