What is Speech?

What is Speech? Speech is the physical production of sound using our tongue, lips, palate and respiratory system to communicate ideas.

The Respiratory and Phonatory Systems

When we talk about the production of speech sounds it's best to start with the respiratory system. Speech is reliant on the powerful air flow that is supplied via our respiratory system.

When we breathe out the air travels up from our lungs, through our windpipe and out through a structure in our throats called a voice box (larynx). The larynx shapes the sound of our voices. The sound, or phonation, is produced by a pair of vocal folds that are situated in the larnyx.

The voice box can change the nature of the sounds coming out of our lungs. When we turn the larynx on it vibrates. That is, the voice box works to make the quiet sounds coming out of our lungs into loud sounds. The larynx can do this very fast. It can switch from quiet sounds to loud sounds and back again. The larynx does this without us even noticing it.

Articulation

Articulation is the name given to the precise movements of the tongue, palate, velum and lips to create the vowel and consonant sounds that make up the myriad phonemic elements of language. The amazing thing about articulation is that it must work in harmony with the respiratory and phonatory systems. It does this amazingly well.

What is Speech? cont...

Once the air from our lungs reaches our mouth (oral cavity) we can then make speech sounds. We make speech sounds by using our tongue, teeth and lips to control the air as it passes through our mouth.

Our lips, tongue and teeth all work together to turn the air from our lungs into speech sounds, and, ultimately, spoken words. We have a name for the speech sounds made by the lips, tongue and teeth. These sounds are called consonants. Consonants are created by obstructions of the air flow created by our tongue, teeth, and lips. In contrast, vowels are generally produced with an open vocal tract.

What Is Communication?
Communication is the sharing of ideas and information. While many people think of communication primarily in oral or written form, communication is much more. A knowing look or a gentle touch can also communicate a message loud and clear, as can a hard push or an angry slap.

What Is Communication
Communication is defined as:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. The act of transmitting A giving or exchanging of information, signals, or messages as by talk, gestures, or writing The information, signals, or message Close, sympathetic relationship A means of communicating; specif., a system for sending and receiving messages, as by telephone, telegraph, radio, etc. A system as of routes for moving troops and material A passage or way for getting from one place to another The art of expressing ideas, esp. in speech and writing The science of transmitting information, esp. in symbols

This definition suggests that there can be several different types of communication, falling into the categories of non-verbal or verbal.
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast distances in time and space. Communication requires that the communicating parties share an area of communicative commonality. The communication process is complete once the receiver has understood the message of the sender.

Importance of Communication
There is more to communication than just talk and gesture. Listening, understanding and interpreting are as much integral to communication as words - verbal, written or gestured. Yes, even gestures in communication play a crucial role in conveying and interpreting the message! Similarly, how we communicate or express ourselves goes a great way towards determining how our expressions are interpreted. To quote Karl Popper, "It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood". Faulty or incomplete communication can completely mar the purpose of communicating and may result in damaging consequences. This is where understanding how important communication is and communicating the right way comes into picture. Not everyone is equally endowed with the ability to effectively express himself and this is where the importance of communication skills can be truly fathomed. Communicating the right way is equally important in every walk of like, be it in personal, professional or social life. Come, let's take a look at some major areas where right communication or a lack of it can have serious implications.