What is Language? What is Speech?
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month! Throughout the month, we will be posting about different aspects of speech and language. The first post of the month will discuss the difference between speech and language.
Language is different from speech.
Language is made up of socially shared rules that include the following:
- What words mean (e.g., “star” can refer to a bright object in the night sky or celebrity)
- How to make new words (e.g., friend, friendly, unfriendly)
- How to put words together (e.g. “Peg walked to the new store” rather than “Peg walked store new”)
- What word combinations are best in what situations (“Would you mind moving your foot?” could quickly change to “Get off my foot, please!” if the first request did not produce results)
Speech is the verbal means of communicating. Speech consists of the following:
- Articulation: How speech sounds are made (e.g., children must learn how to produce the “r” sound in order to say “rabbit” instead of “wabbit”).
- Voice: Use of the vocal folds and breathing to produce sound (e.g., the voice can be abused from overuse or misuse and can lead to hoarseness or loss of voice).
- Fluency: The rhythm of speech (e.g., hesitations or stuttering can affect fluency).
If you have concerns about a loved one’s speech and/or language, please contact us at 770-209-9826 or visit our website at https://www.pediaspeech.com/.
Source: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/language_speech.htm