QUESTION: What is the difference between “speech” and “language”?
From Tracey – I hear the words speech and language all the time but I’m not sure I understand the difference properly. Could you please clarify?
A: MOST DEFINATELY, what an important question.
Speech and language are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different aspects of communication. Speech is the physical act of producing sounds that form words. It involves the coordination of the vocal cords, tongue, lips, and other parts of the vocal tract to articulate sounds. Speech is about how we say words, including our tone, pitch, and rhythm. For example, when a child learns to pronounce “cat,” they are developing their speech skills.
On the other hand, language is a broader concept that encompasses the entire system of communication. Language includes the rules and structures we use to convey meaning, such as grammar, vocabulary, and syntax (the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences). It is the method by which we share ideas, emotions, and information. Language can be spoken, written, or signed, and it involves understanding and producing meaningful messages. For instance, knowing how to use the word “cat” in a sentence like “The cat is sleeping” demonstrates language skills. While speech is about the sounds we make, language is about the meaning behind those sounds.
