What is the clinical term for talking in sleep?

The clinical term for talking in sleep is somniloquy. This phenomenon can occur during any sleep stage, but it is most commonly associated with the transitional states between sleep and wakefulness. It involves the production of speech-like sounds or words, which may vary from coherent sentences to nonsensical phrases. Individuals who experience somniloquy may not be aware of their speech, and often those around them may find it amusing or concerning, depending on the context and content.

Somnambulism, while related to sleep, refers specifically to sleepwalking, which involves more complex behaviors during sleep, typically occurring during deep non-REM sleep. Hypnagogia describes the transitional state between wakefulness and sleep, where one may experience vivid hallucinations or sensations but does not refer to sleep speech. Parasomnia is a broader term that encompasses a range of abnormal behaviors or experiences during sleep, including both somniloquy and somnambulism, but does not specifically identify sleep talking. Thus, somniloquy is the most precise term when referring specifically to talking during sleep.