inability to speak
• (n.) A disorder of speech in which words can be uttered but not intelligibly joined together. • (n.) = Dumbness.
<clinical sign, neurology> Inability to speak or understand phrases. ... (27 Sep 1997) ... 
(ә-fra´zhә) inability to speak or to understand phrases. See also aphasia and mutism.
A·phra'si·a noun [ New Latin , from Greek 
Type: Term Pronunciation: ă-frā′zē-ă Definitions: 1. Inability to speak, from any cause.
Aphrasia: The inability to speak or understand phrases.
aphrasia 1. The inability to utter or understand words connected in the form of phrases while the ability to understand, single words may be unimpaired; whereas groups of words forming phrases may baffle him/her completely as far as using or understanding them is concerned. 2. Inability to speak, from any cause.