What is the real purpose of vocal prayer?

I am one of those persons who don't like to say the Rosary. I have a reason for this: the ten Hail Marys. Many people say that the idea of saying Rosary is that you should repeat the ten Hail Marys without focusing on them. If this is so, then that says a lot about what people seem to think vocal prayer is all about. What they seem to say is that vocal prayer is a lot about repetition of words given to us by the Church rather than on focusing on what you are trying to express by the words. They seem to say that vocal prayer is just repetition of words while you meditate on something else than the meaning of the eords you are saying. What is the real purpose of vocal prayer?