what is the difference between language and speech

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

• Certification
• Publications
• Continuing Education
• Practice Management
• Audiologists
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Academic & Faculty
• Audiology & SLP Assistants

What Is Speech? What Is Language?

[ en Español ]

Jorge is 4 years old. It is hard to understand him when he talks. He is quiet when he speaks, and his sounds are not clear.

Vicki is in high school. She has had learning problems since she was young. She has trouble reading and writing and needs extra time to take tests.

Maryam had a stroke. She can only say one or two words at a time. She cannot tell her son what she wants and needs. She also has trouble following simple directions.

Louis also had a stroke. He is able to understand everything he hears and speaks in full sentences. The problem is that he has slurred speech and is hard to understand.

All of these people have trouble communicating. But their problems are different.

What Is Speech?

Speech is how we say sounds and words. Speech includes:

Articulation How we make speech sounds using the mouth, lips, and tongue. For example, we need to be able to say the “r” sound to say "rabbit" instead of "wabbit.”

Voice How we use our vocal folds and breath to make sounds. Our voice can be loud or soft or high- or low-pitched. We can hurt our voice by talking too much, yelling, or coughing a lot.

Fluency This is the rhythm of our speech. We sometimes repeat sounds or pause while talking. People who do this a lot may stutter.

What Is Language?

Language refers to the words we use and how we use them to share ideas and get what we want. Language includes:

• What words mean. Some words have more than one meaning. For example, “star” can be a bright object in the sky or someone famous.
• How to make new words. For example, we can say “friend,” “friendly,” or “unfriendly” and mean something different.
• How to put words together. For example, in English we say, “Peg walked to the new store” instead of “Peg walk store new.”
• What we should say at different times. For example, we might be polite and say, “Would you mind moving your foot?” But, if the person does not move, we may say, “Get off my foot!”

Language and Speech Disorders

We can have trouble with speech, language, or both. Having trouble understanding what others say is a receptive language disorder. Having problems sharing our thoughts, ideas, and feelings is an expressive language disorder. It is possible to have both a receptive and an expressive language problem.

When we have trouble saying sounds, stutter when we speak, or have voice problems, we have a speech disorder .

Jorge has a speech disorder that makes him hard to understand. So does Louis. The reason Tommy has trouble is different than the reason Louis does.

Maryam has a receptive and expressive language disorder . She does not understand what words mean and has trouble using words to talk to others.

Vicki also has a language disorder . Reading and writing are language skills. She could also have problems understanding others and using words well because of her learning disability.

Where to Get Help

SLPs work with people who have speech and language disorders. SLPs work in schools, hospitals, and clinics, and may be able to come to your home.

To find a speech-language pathologist near you, visit ProFind .

In the Public Section

• Hearing & Balance
• Speech, Language & Swallowing
• About Health Insurance
• Adding Speech & Hearing Benefits
• Advocacy & Outreach
• Find a Professional
• Advertising Disclaimer
• Advertise with us

ASHA Corporate Partners

• Become A Corporate Partner

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 234,000 members, certificate holders, and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology assistants; and students.

• All ASHA Websites
• Work at ASHA
• Marketing Solutions

Information For

Get involved.

• ASHA Community
• Become a Mentor
• Become a Volunteer
• Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

Connect With ASHA

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 2200 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850 Members: 800-498-2071 Non-Member: 800-638-8255

MORE WAYS TO CONNECT

Media Resources

• Press Queries

Site Help | A–Z Topic Index | Privacy Statement | Terms of Use © 1997- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Language vs Speech: Difference and Comparison

Key Takeaways Language is a communication system that uses words, symbols, and grammar to convey meaning, while speech refers to producing sounds to convey a message. Language is a complex cognitive process that involves comprehension, expression, and interpretation, while speech is a physical activity that involves the vocal cords, mouth, and lungs. Language is a fundamental aspect of human communication and culture, while speech is one of many ways language can be expressed.

Language vs Speech 

Similar reads, comparison table.

What is Language?

What is speech, main differences between language and speech, share this post, 21 thoughts on “language vs speech: difference and comparison”.

The productive and creative nature of languages highlights their ability to evolve and adapt, reflecting the dynamic nature of human expression and communication over time.

Absolutely, language’s dynamic and evolving characteristics offer a fascinating insight into the diversity and richness of human communication, reflecting its profound impact on societal development.

The characteristics of language, such as its arbitrary nature and symbolic elements, underscore the complexity and richness of communication systems employed by human societies.

Indeed, the unique features and characteristics of language contribute to the diversity and richness of different linguistic systems, reflecting the depth of human expression and interaction.

The distinction between language and speech is an interesting one – while language acts as a system of communication, speech is the action of communicating through spoken vocalizations.

Indeed, this differentiation is important, particularly when considering the fundamental role that language and speech play in human expression and interaction.

There is no doubt that language is crucial for communication, and the development of civilizations is closely tied to the development and influence of different languages.

Absolutely, language has played a central role in the development and history of different cultures and societies around the world.

This thorough exploration of language and speech truly emphasizes their profound impact on human interaction and societal development. It’s fascinating to see the interplay between these linguistic and communicative elements.

The significance of language as a fundamental aspect of human communication is underscored by its socio-cultural and historical influences, which emphasize its pivotal role in human societies.

The intricate comparison between language and speech sheds light on their unique characteristics, providing a deeper understanding of their roles in shaping human interaction and societal development.

Completely agree, the detailed examination of language and speech offers valuable insights into their distinct roles as tools of communication, ultimately shaping the way humans interact and form connections.

Indeed, the comprehensive exploration of language and speech unveils their profound impact on human society and highlights the intricate relationship between language and human interaction.

The comparison between language and speech helps us understand the different components and characteristics of each, shedding light on their roles as tools for communication.

Absolutely, the detailed comparison highlights the intricacies and complexities of both language and speech, providing insight into their importance in communication and social structure.

Yes, by examining the parameters of comparison, we can identify the unique functions and rules of language and speech, which are essential to human interaction and society.

The distinct elements of speech, such as the speaker, message, and channel, provide valuable insight into the dynamic nature of human communication, and how language is employed as a tool for conveying information and ideas.

Indeed, the comprehensive exploration of speech components highlights their intricate role in the effective conveyance of information and the dynamic nature of human interaction.

The role of language as a means of communication and socialization, as well as the role of speech in message delivery and conveyance, showcases the intricate relationship between linguistic systems and human interaction.

Completely agree, the detailed examination of language and speech underscores their crucial roles in human society, ultimately shaping the way we interact and communicate with one another.

Absolutely, the interconnectivity between language, speech, and human interaction is a fascinating aspect to explore, and it highlights the depth of human communication and expression.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

• Lab Members
• Publications
• How does the brain allow us to communicate?
• How does brain aging affect communication?
• How is the brain changed by experience?
• Français ( French )

Address 2301 Av. D'Estimauville, Quebec, Qc G1E 1T2

Email [email protected]

Call Us 418-821-1229

Difference between speech, language and communication

• 25 September 2020
• Science outreach

In our day-to-day language, the terms speech, language, and communication are often used interchangeably. However, are these words synonyms? As it turns out, no, they are not! 

Here is how to better distinguish these terms:

Speech refers to the way we produce and perceive the consonants and vowels that form all the languages in the world. It can be considered the perceptual and motor components of oral language. More specifically, it includes the following elements:

• Voice. This refers to the way we use our vocal folds (sometimes called cords), in the larynx, and our respiration (especially the expiration) to produce speech sounds. Our voice varies in intensity and pitch – that is, it can be more or less loud and have a higher or lower pitch. These parameters are determined by the contraction and extension of the vocal folds.
• Articulation. It is the way we use our articulators, including our lips and our tongue, to produce speech sounds. For example, our lips are rounded to produce the vowel /o/, while they are stretched to produce the vowel /i/.
• Resonance. This refers to the modification of the sound generated by the vocal folds as it travels through the cavities formed by the pharynx as well as the inside of our nose and mouth. Resonance influences the quality of speech sounds (a nasal vowel such as “an” vs an oral vowel such as “a”) and depends mostly on our capacity to control the amount of air that is expelled from our nose when we speak. To block air from going through the nose, we lift soft palate (also called velopharynx); to allow air going into the nose, we drop the soft palate (see figure 1). For example, too much airflow through the nose results in a nasal voice (Kummer). It should be noted that damage to resonance or to the respiratory system is likely to make speech less natural and intelligible (ASHA). 
• Fluency. This concerns the rhythm of our speech and is characterized by the number of hesitations and repetitions of sounds when we speak. Non fluent speech is associated with communication disorders such as stuttering.
• Perception. The ability to detect and perceive fine variations in the acoustic signal of speech, including variations in intensity and frequency in a locutor’s voice or variations in their speech rate, are also key elements of speech at the receptive level.

Language refers to the comprehension and production of words and sentences to share ideas or information. Language can be oral, written, or signed (e.g. Quebec Sign Language). Below are the different spheres of language (ASHA; Bishop et al, 2017): 

• Phonology. At the interface between speech and language, phonology refers to the ability to identify and use speech sounds to distinguish the words of a language. For example, in English, it is important to distinguish the sounds associated with the letters “b” and “p” since words such as “bay” and “pay” do not have the same meaning.
• Morphology. This refers to the rules that regulate the use of morphemes, the smallest units of language that carry meaning. For example, in oral and written English, the plural is often indicated by adding the morpheme “-s” to a noun (eg. anemones). Some morphemes can be added at the beginning or at the end of a word to slightly modify the meaning. For example, the morpheme ‘’-est’’ in English is used to express the superlative. For example, when we add “est” to the adjective  tall, we  create the word  tallest , meaning the person who is the most tall.
• Lexicology and semantics. These components refer to vocabulary as well as the knowledge of the word meaning (e.g., knowing the word  anemone  and that it refers not only to a marine animal, but also to a colorful perennial plant).
• Syntax. This refers to the rules to combine words to create sentences in a language. For example, the sentence ‘’I love anemones’’ is composed of a subject (I) and a predicate (formed by the verb  love  and the noun  anemones ); the two obligatory components in an English sentence.
• Pragmatics. This refers to the rules about the use of language in a specific communication context. These rules include the respect of the turn-taking or the adjustment of the language level or content based on the interlocutor. It also includes the ability to detect humour, irony and sarcasm.

Communication

Communication refers to the process of exchanging information, including emotions and thoughts (Bishop and al., 2016), with others using speaking, writing, signs, facial expressions and body language. Communication thus incorporates speech and language, but also prosody (linguistic and emotional). Prosody refers to the ability to vary the intonation, rate and voice intensity to either emphasize certain syllables or words when we speak or to draw the attention of our interlocutor to a particular piece of information (linguistic prosody), or to convey our emotions, voluntarily or not (emotional prosody; Wilson & Wharton, 2005). 

Although the words  speech ,  language  and  communication  are often used interchangeably, these words have distinct meanings when used in scientific or clinical contexts. While  communication  is a broad concept,  speech  and  language  have very specific meaning. This is important because communication difficulties can affect speech and language independently. For example, a person with a speech impairment may have difficulty articulating correctly without having any language difficulty. Likewise, a person with a language disorder may have difficulty understanding the meaning of words, forming grammatically sentences, respecting speaking turns during a conversation, etc., while having no difficulty related to speech (normal voice, normal articulation).

Suggested readings:

• The cocktail party explained
• Comic strip about speech
• Speech perception: a complex ability
• What is the most important element of communication?

Speech analysis

• What is prosody?

References:

American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). (2020, September 1 rst ). What Is Speech? What Is Language? https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/speech-and-language/

American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). (2020, September 1 rst ). Language in brief. https://www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Spoken-Language-Disorders/Language-In–Brief/

American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). (2020, September 23). Dysarthria in Adults. https://www.asha.org/PRPSpecificTopic.aspx?folderid=8589943481&section=Signs_and_Symptoms

Bishop, D.V.M., Snowling, M.J., Thompson, P.A., Greenhalgh, T., & CATALISE consortium. (2016). CATALISE: A Multinational and Multidisciplinary Delphi Consensus Study. Identifying Language Impairments in Children. PLOS ONE 11 (12): e0168066.  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168066

Kummer, A.W. (2020, September 23). Resonance Disorders and Velopharyngeal Dysfunction.  https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/- /media/cincinnati%20childrens/home/service/s/speech/patients/handouts/resonance-disorders-and-vpd.pdf?la=en

Wilson, D., & Wharton, T. (2006). Relevance and prosody. Journal of Pragmatics 38 , 1559–1579. doi:10.1016/j.pragma.2005.04.012

The peripheral auditory system

Related posts.

Alexandre’s study presented at the Scientific Day of the Quebec Bio-Imaging Network (QBIN)

• 29 June 2024

Natália’s Departure

• 20 June 2024

New lab members! Summer 2024

• 10 June 2024

• Organizations
• Planning & Activities
• Product & Services
• Structure & Systems
• Career & Education
• Entertainment
• Fashion & Beauty
• Political Institutions
• SmartPhones
• Protocols & Formats
• Communication
• Web Applications
• Household Equipments
• Career and Certifications
• Diet & Fitness
• Mathematics & Statistics
• Processed Foods
• Vegetables & Fruits

Difference Between Language and Speech

• Categorized under Words | Difference Between Language and Speech

List of languages by number of native speakers

Language vs Speech

Language and speech are two different communicating tools. Language is the tool by which we write, understand, etc., and speech is the tool of communication which is used to verbally communicate with others . Let us elaborate more on both to understand the differences.

Language One of the dictionary meanings of language is the communication of feelings and thoughts through a system of particular signals, like sounds, voice, written symbols, and gestures. It is considered to be a very specialized capacity of humans where they use complex systems for communication. The study of languages is called linguistics.

There are many languages spoken today by humans. Languages have some rules, and they are compiled and used according to those rules for communication. Languages can be not only written, but sometimes some languages are based on signs only. These are called sign languages. In other cases, some particular codes are used for computers, etc. which are called computer languages or programming.

Language has four different rules which are shared socially. First, what a word means, the meaning of the words which is called vocabulary; second, how to make up new words; third, how to put the words together in a sequence and, finally, how to use the sentence in a particular situation. Does it need to be a statement, or does it need to be interrogative, etc.

Language can be either receptive, meaning understanding of a language, and expressive language, which means the usage of the language either orally or in writing. If we simplify everything, language expresses an idea communicated in the message.

Speech One of the dictionary meanings of speech is the act of expressing or the faculty of describing feelings and thoughts or perceptions by words, something spoken or vocal communication. It is a specifically human capacity to communicate verbally or vocally with the use of syntactic combinations from diverse vocabularies.

Each word spoken has a phonetic combination of certain sound units. Speech is created by vocabularies, syntax, and a set of sound units. It is the verbal way of communicating. The following components are a part of speech:

Articulation, which means the way speech sounds are produced. Voice, the breathing process and the vocal folds used to produce sounds. Fluency, the rhythm required to speak without hesitation.

Simplifying the whole concept, speech expresses how a spoken message needs to be communicated.

1.Language is the communication of feelings and thoughts through a system of particular signals like sounds, voice, written symbols, and gestures. However, speech is the act of expressing or the faculty of describing feelings and thoughts or perceptions by words, something spoken or vocal communication. 2.Languages could be human languages, sign languages, or computer languages which use codes while speech is a single concept. It is the physical process used to verbalize language. 3.Languages express the idea that needs to be communicated while speech is the process which shows how the message needs to be communicated.

• Recent Posts
• Difference Between Data Mining and Data Warehousing - October 21, 2012
• Difference Between 7-Keto DHEA and DHEA - October 20, 2012
• Difference Between Tamil and Malayalam - October 18, 2012

Sharing is caring!

Search DifferenceBetween.net :

• Difference Between Speech Recognition and Natural Language Processing
• Difference Between Say and Speak
• Difference Between Written and Spoken language
• Difference Between Chinese and Mandarin
• Difference Between Figurative and Literal

Cite APA 7 Kaushik, N. (2017, February 10). Difference Between Language and Speech. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. http://www.differencebetween.net/language/words-language/difference-between-language-and-speech/. MLA 8 Kaushik, Nimisha. "Difference Between Language and Speech." Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects, 10 February, 2017, http://www.differencebetween.net/language/words-language/difference-between-language-and-speech/.

it was better to address for the relationship between speech and language

It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this fantastic blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

The differences can be more specifically elaborated as a comparison and this is kind of gross. Hope to see you update it.

Very clear! Thank u

Leave a Response

Name ( required )

Email ( required )

Please note: comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail

Written by : Nimisha Kaushik. and updated on 2017, February 10 Articles on DifferenceBetween.net are general information, and are not intended to substitute for professional advice. The information is "AS IS", "WITH ALL FAULTS". User assumes all risk of use, damage, or injury. You agree that we have no liability for any damages.

Advertisments

More in 'words'.

• Difference Between Center and Centre
• Difference Between Lodge and Resort
• Difference Between Authoritarian and Fascism
• Difference Between Advocate and Barrister
• Difference Between Advocacy and Lobbying

Top Difference Betweens

Get new comparisons in your inbox:, most emailed comparisons, editor's picks.

• Difference Between MAC and IP Address
• Difference Between Platinum and White Gold
• Difference Between Civil and Criminal Law
• Difference Between GRE and GMAT
• Difference Between Immigrants and Refugees
• Difference Between DNS and DHCP
• Difference Between Computer Engineering and Computer Science
• Difference Between Men and Women
• Difference Between Book value and Market value
• Difference Between Red and White wine
• Difference Between Depreciation and Amortization
• Difference Between Bank and Credit Union
• Difference Between White Eggs and Brown Eggs

Language vs. Speech

What's the difference.

Language and speech are closely related but distinct concepts. Language refers to a system of communication that involves the use of words, grammar, and syntax to convey meaning. It is a complex and structured system that allows humans to express their thoughts, emotions, and ideas. On the other hand, speech refers to the physical act of producing sounds and words using the vocal apparatus. It is the oral manifestation of language and involves the coordination of various muscles and organs involved in producing sounds. While language is a broader concept that encompasses both spoken and written forms, speech specifically refers to the spoken aspect of language.

Further Detail

Introduction.

Language and speech are two fundamental aspects of human communication. While they are closely related, they have distinct attributes that set them apart. Language refers to the system of communication using words, symbols, and rules, while speech is the physical act of producing sounds to convey meaning. In this article, we will explore the various attributes of language and speech, highlighting their similarities and differences.

Language is a complex and dynamic system that allows humans to express thoughts, ideas, and emotions. It is a shared code that enables communication between individuals within a community. One of the key attributes of language is its symbolic nature. Words and symbols represent specific meanings, allowing us to convey abstract concepts and refer to objects, actions, or ideas. This symbolic aspect of language is what distinguishes it from other forms of communication.

Another important attribute of language is its rule-governed nature. Languages have a set of grammar rules that dictate how words are combined to form meaningful sentences. These rules include syntax (word order), morphology (word structure), and semantics (meaning). The adherence to these rules ensures that communication is coherent and understandable to others within the same linguistic community.

Furthermore, language is a dynamic and evolving system. It adapts and changes over time, reflecting the cultural, social, and technological developments of a community. New words are coined, meanings shift, and grammar rules may be modified. This flexibility allows language to remain relevant and responsive to the needs of its users.

Language also possesses the attribute of displacement, which means that it can refer to things that are not present in the immediate context. Humans can discuss past events, plan for the future, or imagine hypothetical scenarios using language. This ability to communicate about abstract or distant concepts greatly enhances our cognitive capabilities and sets us apart from other species.

Lastly, language is a tool for social interaction and identity formation. It enables individuals to express their cultural heritage, beliefs, and values. Different languages often have unique vocabulary and expressions that reflect the worldview and cultural practices of a particular community. Language plays a crucial role in shaping our sense of belonging and collective identity.

Speech, on the other hand, refers to the physical production of sounds to convey meaning. It is the oral manifestation of language. While language is an abstract system, speech is the tangible and audible expression of that system. Speech involves the coordination of various physiological mechanisms, including the lungs, vocal cords, tongue, and lips.

One of the key attributes of speech is its individual variation. Each person has a unique voice, accent, and way of speaking. These individual differences in speech patterns contribute to our personal identity and allow us to recognize and distinguish others. Moreover, speech can convey emotions, attitudes, and intentions through variations in tone, pitch, and rhythm.

Speech is also characterized by its temporal nature. It unfolds over time, with sounds being produced sequentially to form words, phrases, and sentences. The speed, rhythm, and pauses in speech contribute to its intelligibility and convey additional meaning. Non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and gestures, often accompany speech and enhance the overall communication process.

Unlike language, which can be written and read, speech is primarily an auditory form of communication. It relies on the listener's ability to perceive and interpret the sounds produced by the speaker. This real-time interaction between the speaker and listener allows for immediate feedback and clarification, facilitating effective communication.

Furthermore, speech is a skill that is acquired through learning and practice. Infants go through a process of language acquisition, gradually developing the ability to produce and understand speech sounds. Speech production involves the coordination of motor skills and the mastery of articulatory movements. It requires precise control over the vocal apparatus to produce the desired sounds accurately.

Similarities and Interdependence

While language and speech have distinct attributes, they are deeply interconnected and rely on each other for effective communication. Language provides the underlying structure and rules that govern speech production and comprehension. Without language, speech would lack meaning and coherence.

Similarly, speech is the medium through which language is realized and transmitted. It allows individuals to express their thoughts and ideas, making language tangible and accessible. Speech acts as a bridge between the internal linguistic system and the external world, enabling communication with others.

Moreover, language and speech mutually influence each other. As language evolves, it may introduce new words or expressions that require adjustments in speech patterns. On the other hand, changes in speech, such as shifts in pronunciation or intonation, can influence the development of language over time.

Both language and speech are essential for effective communication. While language provides the structure and meaning, speech brings it to life, allowing for real-time interaction and understanding. Together, they form the foundation of human communication and are integral to our social, cognitive, and emotional development.

Language and speech are two interconnected yet distinct aspects of human communication. Language is a symbolic, rule-governed, and dynamic system that enables us to express thoughts and ideas. Speech, on the other hand, is the physical act of producing sounds to convey meaning. While language provides the structure and meaning, speech brings it to life through individual variation, temporal unfolding, and auditory perception.

Despite their differences, language and speech are interdependent and mutually influence each other. They are both essential for effective communication, allowing us to connect, share knowledge, and express our identities. Understanding the attributes of language and speech helps us appreciate the complexity and richness of human communication.

Comparisons may contain inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. Please report any issues.

ARTICULATION TEACHER

• speakeasycommunity
• Dec 15, 2022

The difference between speech and language

Speech and language are often used interchangeably, but they are actually two separate aspects of communication. While they are related and can affect each other, it is important to understand the differences between speech and language and how they impact a person's ability to communicate.

Language is the system of words, sounds, and grammar that people use to communicate with each other. It allows us to express our thoughts and ideas and understand those of others. Language is made up of four main components: phonology, which is the study of sounds; semantics, which is the study of meaning; syntax, which is the study of sentence structure; and pragmatics, which is the study of how language is used in social situations.

Speech, on the other hand, is the physical production of language. It involves the use of the mouth, lips, tongue, and other speech muscles to produce sounds that make up words and sentences. Speech is how we physically produce language and make it audible to others.

While speech and language are related, they can be affected by different factors. For example, a person may have difficulty producing speech due to a physical impairment or a speech disorder, but their language skills may still be intact. On the other hand, a person may have difficulty understanding or using language due to a language disorder, but their speech production may be unaffected.

It is important for parents and caregivers to be aware of the differences between speech and language and how they can impact a person's ability to communicate. If you are concerned about your child's speech and language development, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider or speech-language pathologist who can assess their skills and provide support as needed.

Articulation Teacher focuses on speech development and articulation, while our other app, SpeakEasy: Home Speech Therapy , focuses more on language development. Happy talking!

Recent Posts

When is using games appropriate for speech and language development?

Games can be a fun and effective way to support speech and language development in children. When used correctly, games can help children practice new words and sounds, build vocabulary, and improve t

What is the difference between articulation and pronunciation?

Articulation and pronunciation are related but distinct concepts in the field of speech and language development. Articulation refers to the way sounds are produced and combined to form words, while p

At what age should my child pronounce L correctly?

It is typical for children to have difficulty pronouncing the "L" sound when they are first learning to speak. This is because the "L" sound is a later developing sound, and children typically do not

Speech Versus Language – What’s the Difference?

Written by Rachel Saldanha

So, you ring a speech pathology clinic to enquire for an initial assessment for your child . The receptionist asks you – what concerns do you have regarding your child, is it speech or language ?

You may feel a bit stumped because up until now, you did not realise that there is a difference!

Do not fret, you’re not the only one!

Believe it or not, this is a common question that is asked amongst parents and other allied health professionals. Parents can often be confused about the difference between speech and language and are often not aware that there is a difference! 

Understanding that there is a difference between speech and language is very important when determining what the right treatment approach is for your child. 

So… how are speech and language different? 

According to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA): 

Speech is the spoken sounds that make up language. It includes the formation of a sound, the nature of the sound quality and the rhythm and flow of sounds.

Not to make it more confusing, but there are different areas of speech!

This includes:

Articulation – the way that speech sounds are produced using our mouth, lips and tongue.

Voice – the change in volume or pitch of our speech.

Fluency – the rhythm of our speech – this can often be impacted if a stutter is present.

Okay…so now that we know what speech is … what about language?

Language refers to the words we use and how we use them to form sentences to share ideas and make requests. Language is made up of two areas 

Receptive language – the way that you understand language

Expressive language – the language that is spoken

Do language and speech develop together?

Most definitely!

You must have speech sounds to have spoken language. Typically, infants and toddlers develop speech sounds and then later combine these early consonant sounds with vowels to form words.

This is how a toddler begins to build language skills! By the age of 1, a child is starting to say their first words. 

Now that you know the difference between speech and language, this may help you distinguish what your child is specifically having challenges with. Speech and language difficulties do not always happen together, it can sometimes be one or the other. 

So remember, language is what you say and speech is how you say it!

References: 

ASHA (2023). What is Speech? What is Language?. Retrieved from https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/speech-and-language/

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Yes, add me to your mailing list.

Visit our Clinic

Our therapists are available from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Talk to our friendly reception staff to make your booking.

Helpful Resources

Visit our Resources page to find lots of helpful tips in our regular Newsletters, Articles, Brochure and Informations Sheets.

Recent Articles

Creating a Language-Rich Environment at Home

By Katrina Haddon

Giving your child a strong foundation in language starts at home. One of the most important foundations we can provide is a rich language environment.… Read More

Blog Archive

Join our Newsletter List

Receive updates of all the latest news, articles and resources from Box Hill Speech Pathology.

Request a Quote

• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Book Appointment

• Appointment Type Appointment Type In-Clinic Online
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Understanding the Distinction: Language vs. Speech

Language and speech are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to distinct aspects of communication. Understanding the difference between language and speech is essential to gaining a deeper insight into how we communicate and express ourselves.

When we talk about language, we are referring to a complex system of symbols, rules, and structures that allow us to communicate meaning. It encompasses both spoken and written forms, and it is a fundamental aspect of human culture. Language provides us with the ability to convey thoughts, ideas, and emotions, and it is a shared system that allows us to connect with others.

On the other hand, speech refers specifically to the physical act of producing sounds and words. It is the motor aspect of communication that involves the coordination of various muscles and organs, such as the vocal cords, tongue, and lips. Speech is the way in which we orally express language, allowing us to articulate and convey meaning through spoken words.

Language is the broader system of communication that encompasses both spoken and written forms, while speech refers specifically to the physical act of producing sounds and words. Understanding this distinction is crucial for studying and analyzing the intricacies of human communication.

Post Contents

• 1 Key Takeaways
• 2 Overview of Language and Speech
• 3.1 Language as a Symbolic System
• 3.2 Rules and Structures of Language
• 3.3 Language and Culture
• 3.4 Language Development
• 3.5 The Power of Language
• 4 Components of Language
• 5 Importance of Language in Communication
• 6 Understanding Speech
• 8 Components of Speech
• 9 Importance of Speech in Communication
• 10 Difference Between Language and Speech
• 11 Conclusion
• 12.1 What is the difference between language and speech?
• 12.2 Why is it important to understand the difference between language and speech?
• 12.3 How can mastering language and speech benefit us?

Key Takeaways

• Language and speech are two distinct aspects of communication. Language refers to the system of symbols, rules, and structures that allow us to communicate meaning, while speech specifically refers to the physical act of producing sounds and words.
• Language encompasses both spoken and written forms, while speech focuses on oral expression.
• Understanding the difference between language and speech is essential for studying and analyzing human communication.
• Language is a shared system that connects us with others and enables us to convey thoughts, ideas, and emotions.
• Speech involves the coordination of various muscles and organs to orally express language and articulate meaning through spoken words.
• Components of language include phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, while components of speech include oral expression, phonetics and phonology, articulation and pronunciation, prosody, and fluency and coherence.
• Language and speech are interconnected but not synonymous. Language provides the framework, and speech is the mechanism through which language is expressed and conveyed.
• Both language and speech are essential for effective communication and can be improved to enhance one’s communication skills.

Overview of Language and Speech

Language and speech are two fundamental aspects of human communication that work together to convey meaning. Understanding the distinction between the two is vital for studying and analyzing how we interact with one another through verbal and written expression.

Language can be defined as a complex system of symbols, rules, and structures. It is a shared system that connects us with others and allows us to convey thoughts, ideas, and emotions. With language, we are able to communicate meaning both verbally and in written form. It is a tool that enables us to express ourselves and understand the world around us.

Speech , on the other hand, specifically refers to the physical act of producing sounds and words. It involves the coordination of various muscles and organs, such as the vocal cords, tongue, and lips. Through speech, we orally express language and convey meaning through spoken words. It is the way we communicate verbally and engage in real-time conversations.

While language and speech are interconnected, it’s important to note that they are not synonymous. Language provides us with the overall framework of communication, whereas speech is the mechanism through which language is expressed and conveyed. It’s similar to how a computer’s programming language provides the structure, and the output is generated through the computer’s hardware and system.

Studying language and speech allows us to explore the intricate ways in which humans communicate. Linguists, psychologists, and speech-language pathologists delve into the various components of language, such as grammar, syntax, and semantics. They also examine the physical processes involved in speech production, such as articulation and phonetics.

By understanding the difference between language and speech, we can gain insights into how we communicate and develop strategies to enhance our communication skills. Whether it’s in a professional setting, social interactions, or personal relationships, having a grasp of language and speech enables us to express ourselves clearly, connect with others, and foster effective communication.

So, let’s dive deeper into the fascinating world of language and speech and unravel the mysteries behind human communication.

Understanding Language

Language is a fascinating and intricate system that enables us to communicate with one another. As a linguist, I find studying language to be an endless journey of discovery. Let’s delve into the intricacies of language and explore what makes it so unique and essential to human communication.

Language as a Symbolic System

At its core, language is a symbolic system. It uses a series of sounds, words, and gestures to represent meanings, ideas, and concepts. Through language, we can convey our thoughts, emotions, and experiences to others, forming connections and building relationships. It’s incredible to think about how a seemingly arbitrary combination of sounds or marks on a page can carry so much depth and meaning.

Rules and Structures of Language

Language is not just a random assortment of symbols; it also follows specific rules and structures. These rules govern how words are formed, how sentences are constructed, and how meanings are conveyed. Without these rules, communication would become chaotic and confusing. Imagine trying to understand a language with no grammar or syntax!

Language and Culture

Language is deeply intertwined with culture. It reflects the values, beliefs, and traditions of a community or society. Different languages have unique ways of expressing concepts and ideas, offering a window into the worldviews and perspectives of different cultures. Language allows us to connect with others, bridging gaps between individuals and fostering understanding and empathy.

Language Development

From the moment we are born, we are surrounded by language. It shapes our thoughts and understanding of the world. Language development begins early in life, as infants start to absorb the sounds and rhythms of their native tongue. As we grow, we acquire more words, grasp complex grammatical structures, and gain fluency in expressing ourselves.

The Power of Language

Language is more than a tool for communication. It has the power to shape our perceptions, beliefs, and even our actions. It can inspire, motivate, and persuade. Words have the ability to incite emotions, spark revolutions, and change the course of history. It’s remarkable to witness the impact that language can have on individuals and societies.

Understanding the intricacies of language allows us to appreciate its role in human communication fully. From its symbolic nature to its connection with culture and its developmental journey, language is a remarkable system that empowers us to express ourselves and connect with others. As we explore further in this article, we’ll continue to unravel the fascinating distinction between language and speech.

Components of Language

As a complex system of symbols, rules, and structures, language relies on various components to communicate meaning effectively. These components work together seamlessly, allowing us to express our thoughts, ideas, and emotions. Let’s explore the key components of language:

• Phonetics and Phonology : Phonetics refers to the study of speech sounds, while phonology focuses on how these sounds are organized and used in languages. Understanding the phonetics and phonology of a language helps us pronounce words correctly and distinguish between different sounds.
• Morphology : Morphology deals with the structure and formation of words. It examines how words are built from smaller units called morphemes. For example, in English, the word “unhappiness” consists of three morphemes: “un-” (a prefix meaning “not”), “happy” (a root word), and “-ness” (a suffix denoting a state or quality).
• Syntax : Syntax investigates how words are combined to form grammatically correct sentences. It explores the rules that govern sentence structure, such as word order, verb agreement, and use of articles and prepositions. Syntax ensures that language conveys meaning unambiguously.
• Semantics : Semantics focuses on the meanings of words, phrases, and sentences. It studies how linguistic symbols represent specific concepts and how these symbols relate to the real world. Semantics allows us to express nuanced meaning and understand the intended message.
• Pragmatics : Pragmatics examines the way language is used in social contexts. It refers to the practical, day-to-day aspects of language, such as understanding implied meanings, using appropriate tone and gestures, and adapting communication style based on the situation. Pragmatics enables effective communication and facilitates social interaction.

Understanding these components of language helps us comprehend the intricacies of human communication. It allows us to appreciate the structure, organization, and meaning behind the words we use. By studying language, linguists, psychologists, and speech-language pathologists can enhance communication skills, support language development, and improve overall understanding of how language shapes our world.

Now that we have explored the components of language, let’s delve into the fascinating world of speech and its role in linguistic communication.

Importance of Language in Communication

Language plays a vital role in communication. It is the medium through which we express our thoughts, ideas, and emotions. Without language, it would be challenging to convey our thoughts and connect with others effectively. Here are a few reasons why language is important in communication:

• Expressing Thoughts and Ideas : Language allows us to express our thoughts and ideas precisely. We can articulate complex concepts, share experiences, and communicate our perspectives through words. Language enables us to convey meaning and emotions, facilitating effective communication.
• Creating Connection : Language creates a connection between individuals. It enables us to relate to one another, understand different cultures, and build meaningful relationships. Through language, we can bridge gaps, find common ground, and form bonds that transcend boundaries.
• Sharing Knowledge : Language is the vehicle for sharing knowledge and information. It facilitates learning, as we use words to explain concepts, teach others, and absorb new ideas. Through language, we can pass down wisdom from generation to generation, ensuring the continuity of our collective knowledge.
• Promoting Understanding : Language promotes understanding by allowing us to interpret and comprehend each other’s messages. It provides a framework for communication, ensuring that our thoughts and intentions are accurately conveyed. Effective language use fosters clarity, reducing the chances of miscommunication and misunderstandings.
• Shaping Culture : Language shapes culture by influencing our beliefs, values, and social norms. It is through language that cultural identities are expressed and preserved. Different languages reflect unique worldviews and perspectives. By understanding and respecting different languages, we can foster inclusivity and cultural diversity.
• Driving Progress : Language is essential for progress and innovation. It enables us to share ideas, collaborate, and solve problems collectively. Language plays a crucial role in fields such as science, technology, literature, and art. Advancements in various disciplines are built upon effective language use.

Language is an indispensable tool in communication. It helps us express our thoughts and emotions, create connections, share knowledge, foster understanding, shape culture, and drive progress. By recognizing the importance of language in communication, we can enhance our ability to connect with others, promote understanding, and build a more inclusive and informed society.

Understanding Speech

Speech is a fundamental aspect of language and is a means by which we express ourselves verbally. It involves the physical act of producing sounds, forming words, and conveying meaning through the use of vocal cords, articulatory organs, and language structures. In this section, I will delve deeper into the concept of speech and its key characteristics.

1. Oral Expression : Speech primarily refers to the oral expression of language. It encompasses the use of sounds, words, phrases, and sentences to convey information, ideas, emotions, and thoughts. As we speak, we engage in a dynamic process that involves selecting the right words and organizing them effectively to communicate our intended message.

2. Phonetics and Phonology : Speech involves the study of sounds in language, known as phonetics, and the organization of those sounds into meaningful units, known as phonology. It explores how sounds are produced, perceived, and organized in different languages, and how they contribute to the meaning and structure of words and sentences.

3. Articulation and Pronunciation : Articulation refers to the physical movements of the vocal and articulatory organs (such as the lips, tongue, and vocal cords) in order to produce speech sounds. Pronunciation, on the other hand, focuses on the correct articulation and production of individual sounds, words, and phrases in a particular language. It plays a key role in ensuring clear and effective communication.

4. Prosody : Prosody refers to the rhythm, stress, intonation, and melody of speech. It adds meaning, emotion, and emphasis to our verbal communication. Prosody helps us convey attitudes, intentions, and emotions, and it enables us to distinguish between statements, questions, commands, and exclamations.

5. Fluency and Coherence : Fluency refers to the smoothness and flow of speech, while coherence refers to the logical and cohesive structure of our spoken language. Fluent and coherent speech allows for effective communication and helps the listener understand our message more easily.

Speech is a dynamic and complex process that allows us to express ourselves through language. By understanding the key aspects of speech, we can improve our oral communication skills, enhance our ability to convey meaning effectively, and build stronger connections with others. Keep reading to learn about the relationship between language and thought.

Components of Speech

Speech is a complex and fascinating aspect of language that involves various components working together seamlessly. Understanding these components can help us improve our communication skills and become more effective in expressing ourselves. Let’s explore the key components of speech:

1. Oral Expression: Oral expression refers to the process of articulating thoughts and ideas through spoken words. It involves using the vocal organs, such as the mouth, tongue, and vocal cords, to produce sounds.

2. Phonetics and Phonology: Phonetics is the study of the physical sounds of human speech, while phonology focuses on the way sounds function within a particular language. These two disciplines help us understand the sounds and sound patterns used in speech.

3. Articulation and Pronunciation: Articulation refers to the physical movements of the mouth and vocal organs to produce specific sounds. Pronunciation, on the other hand, is how we articulate sounds and words within a language. Clear articulation and accurate pronunciation are essential for effective communication.

4. Prosody: Prosody encompasses the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech. It includes factors like pitch, volume, and timing, which add nuance and meaning to spoken language. Understanding prosody is crucial for conveying emotions and emphasizing important points in our speech.

5. Fluency and Coherence: Fluency refers to the smoothness and flow of speech, while coherence relates to the logical and organized structure of ideas within a conversation or presentation. Both fluency and coherence contribute to effective communication and help others understand our message.

By understanding and mastering these components of speech, we can enhance our oral communication skills and make a lasting impact on our listeners. Each component plays a vital role in creating clear, engaging, and persuasive speech.

Remember, effective communication is not just about the words we use, but also how we deliver them. So, let’s embrace the art of speech and strive to become great communicators.

Importance of Speech in Communication

As an expert blogger with years of experience, I understand the significance of speech in effective communication. Speech plays a crucial role in conveying our thoughts, ideas, and emotions to others. It goes beyond the mere use of words and encompasses the physical act of producing sounds, forming words, and conveying meaning.

One of the key reasons why speech is important in communication is that it allows us to express ourselves through language. It provides a platform to articulate our thoughts and share them with others. Through speech, we can convey our emotions, desires, and intentions, making our message more impactful and meaningful.

Speech also helps in establishing a connection with our listeners. By utilizing the right tone, pitch, and volume, we can convey our message in a way that resonates with the audience. This connection not only ensures that our message is received and understood but also helps in building rapport and fostering better relationships with others.

Furthermore, speech aids in the interpretation and understanding of language. It involves various components such as oral expression, phonetics and phonology, articulation and pronunciation, prosody, and fluency and coherence. Each of these components contributes to the clarity and effectiveness of our speech, enabling others to comprehend our message more easily.

By mastering these components of speech, we can enhance our oral communication skills and make a lasting impact on our listeners. Whether we are engaging in a professional conversation, delivering a presentation, or participating in a social gathering, the way we speak has a direct influence on how our message is received and perceived by others.

The importance of speech in communication cannot be overstated. It enables us to express ourselves, establish connections with others, and convey our message effectively. By understanding and mastering the components of speech, we can enhance our oral communication skills and build stronger connections with those around us. So, let’s embrace the power of speech and harness it to become more effective communicators.

Difference Between Language and Speech

When it comes to effective communication, it’s essential to understand the difference between language and speech. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings and play different roles in our ability to express ourselves and connect with others.

Language refers to a system of abstract symbols and rules that we use to communicate meaning. It encompasses the vocabulary, grammar, syntax, and semantics of a particular group of people. Language is a shared tool that allows us to express our thoughts, feelings, and ideas using words, sentences, and paragraphs.

On the other hand, speech refers to the physical act of producing sounds, forming words, and conveying meaning through the spoken word. It is the actual vocalization and articulation of language. Speech involves the coordination of our vocal cords, tongue, lips, and other articulatory organs to produce sounds and words that are intelligible to others.

While language is a more abstract and conceptual aspect of communication, speech is its tangible manifestation. Language provides the structure and rules, while speech brings these elements to life through the act of speaking. In other words, language is the underlying framework, and speech is the vehicle that allows us to express and share our thoughts.

Let’s highlight some key differences between language and speech:

• Language is a system of symbols and rules, while speech is the physical act of producing sounds and words.
• Language is a more abstract and conceptual aspect of communication, while speech is its tangible manifestation.
• Language provides the structure and rules, while speech brings these elements to life through the act of speaking.

Understanding the distinction between language and speech is crucial in developing effective communication skills. While language provides the knowledge and structure, speech transforms that knowledge into meaningful communication. By mastering both language and speech, we can better convey our thoughts, connect with others, and make a lasting impact through the power of words.

And now, let’s dive deeper into the key components of speech that contribute to effective communication.

It is important to recognize the distinction between language and speech in order to enhance our communication skills. Language serves as the foundation of our ability to convey meaning through abstract symbols and rules. On the other hand, speech involves the physical act of producing sounds and forming words to communicate our thoughts effectively.

By understanding the difference between language and speech, we can appreciate the complexity of human communication and the power of words. Developing proficiency in both language and speech allows us to connect with others on a deeper level and make a lasting impact through effective communication.

So, whether we are writing an article, giving a presentation, or engaging in a conversation, mastering language and speech enables us to express ourselves clearly and confidently. By harnessing the power of language and delivering it through articulate speech, we can effectively convey our thoughts, connect with others, and leave a lasting impression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between language and speech.

Language refers to the system of symbols and rules used for communication, while speech is the physical act of producing sounds and conveying meaning through spoken words.

Why is it important to understand the difference between language and speech?

Understanding the distinction helps in developing effective communication skills, as it allows us to better convey our thoughts, connect with others, and make a lasting impact through the power of words.

How can mastering language and speech benefit us?

By mastering language and speech, we can communicate more effectively, express our ideas clearly, and enhance our overall communication skills, leading to better relationships and success in various areas of life.

FAQ: What’s the difference between speech and language?

A mum (not my own) asked me this question recently. She wanted to know why I’m called a Speech- Language Pathologist. ‘Isn’t that redundant?,’ she asked.  ‘ Aren’t speech and language the same thing?’

Having assessed and treated speech and language disorders as separate beasts for so long, it took me a while to think about how best to respond. It was – and is – a very important question.

1. Speech and language are not the same thing  

Language is the method humans use to communicate with each other, often involving words and symbols used consciously by a group in a structured or conventional way. Languages can be spoken, signed and/or written. We are ‘wired’ for oral language – almost as if it’s an instinct. Language is one of the key ways we differ from other primates. It is an important element in what makes us human.

Speech is the expression of thoughts and feelings by humans through articulated sounds that come out of our mouths and noses (with help from our cranial nerves, lungs, vocal cords, throats, soft palates, teeth, facial and neck muscles and tongues). Speech is one way that we express language.

(Cute fluffy bunnies can neither speak nor use language (with the exceptions of Peter Rabbit, Roger and the Velveteen Rabbits as well as the cast of Watership Down) – though we may just be splitting hares…)

2. Speech and language problems don’t always happen together

For example:

• a child or adult may have normal language skills – she may understand what others are communicating and communicate her thoughts and feelings fully through signs, symbols/pictures or in writing – but be unable to speak clearly or fluently, e.g. because of a cleft palate, apraxia of speech , dysarthria , stutter or other issue; or
• a child or adult may have the physical ability to speak clearly, but have limited language skills that make it hard to communicate with others, e.g. because of a developmental language disorder or as a result of a stroke .

3.  Problems with speech development  can  sometimes affect language development and  vice versa

• a child who can make only a few sounds may struggle to communicate with others. A child who can only say /b/ and /m/ and a few vowels will find it difficult to ask for Daddy’s watch, although she may compensate with gestures, such as pointing ; and
• a child with a vocabulary of fewer than 50 words may not have much opportunity to practice or master some of his speech sounds, which may in turn affect his intelligibility.

Related articles :

• What do speech pathologists do?
• Let’s cut to the chase: when should I seek help from a speech pathologist for my child?
• Language therapy works. But can we make it better?
• Lifting the lid on speech therapy. How we assess and treat children with unclear speech – and why
• “My toddler doesn’t speak at all!” Don’t panic – get informed

Hi there, I’m David Kinnane.

Principal Speech Pathologist, Banter Speech & Language

Our talented team of certified practising speech pathologists provide unhurried, personalised and evidence-based speech pathology care to children and adults in the Inner West of Sydney and beyond, both in our clinic and via telehealth.

Share this:

David Kinnane

Language therapy works. But can we make it better? (October 2021 update, incorporating important research findings published in 2021)

Banter Evidence Snapshots: bite-sized speech, language, literacy and stuttering resources for busy families

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

© 2024 Banter Speech & Language ° Call us 0287573838

Copy Link to Clipboard

• Privacy/Disclosure

Raising Bilingual Kids & Little Global Citizens

• Getting Started
• Benefits of Being Bilingual
• Bilingual Parenting
• Minority Language
• LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
• Reading and Writing
• Learn Spanish for Kids
• Learn Chinese Mandarin for Kids
• Learn French For Kids
• Learn Arabic for Kids
• Learn English for Kids
• Top 10 Languages Spoken in the world
• Top 10 Hardest Languages to Learn
• Top 10 Easiest Languages to Learn
• Bilingualism Quotes
• Language Learning Quotes
• Reading Quotes
• KIDS ACTIVITIES
• FOR BUSINESSES

Language Development

Speech and Language Definitions, What Is The difference between them?

Read Next →

Everything you need to know about Receptive Language & Bilingualism

Language Acquisition vs Language Learning – What is the difference?

Kids Activities

15 Language Development Activities for Kids

Last Updated on December 20, 2021 by Bilingual Kidspot

What is the Difference between Speech and Language?

Speech and Language can sometimes be confused and their definitions are often confused as the same thing.

However, there are many differences between Speech and Language.

Christina Evangelou, Speech Therapist who specializes in Bilingualism explains the Speech definition and Language definition, and the difference between the two:

Speech and Language – Is there a difference?

This is a question that many parents ask when I introduce myself as a Speech & Language Pathologist. They ask: “But aren’t speech and language the same thing?”

The answer is that they both fall under the umbrella of communication, but both language and speech are different communication tools.

Language can be conveyed/communicated through different modes, it can be spoken, written or signed!

All of these modes can be broken down to sentences, words, syllables and ultimately the smallest units- sounds.

Sounds combined make up speech and speech refers only to the spoken mode of communication .

The Iceberg of Speech and Language

This is best viewed as an iceberg analogy, where communication forms the entire iceberg.

Language Definition

Definition of Language: Language forms the base or submerged part of the iceberg. Language is composed of language:

• content/meaning which is also referred to as Semantics of language. For example “ rose ” refers to a flower but is also the past tense of the verb rise . This shows that the same word can have different meanings.
• form/structure which is also referred to as Syntax and morphology. For example: “ give ” “ gave ” and “ given ” all refer to the same action, but the meaning of sentence will change according to which form of the verb is used.
• use which is also referred to as Pragmatics. This is how language is used socially; asking and responding to questions, following a conversation and staying on topic

Speech definition

Definition of speech: Speech constitutes the surface or visible structure of the iceberg. Speech is the production of sounds that make up words and sentences.

These sound units are combined so that they make up words and sentences.

Speech involves the co-ordination of our breathing, vocal cords, vocal tract, nasal tract tongue, jaw, tongue and lips; it is comprised of three main components:

• Voice ( the use of our breath and vocal cords to make sounds)
• Articulation (the way sounds are produced by the structures in our vocal tract)
• Fluency ( the rhythm that is required so that we speak without hesitation or repetition of sounds, syllables, words or sentences)

So far we have talked of speech and language as different skills; and they are two different skills that work together so that a message is clearly communicated.

So what happens when things go wrong?

If one of the two is not fully developed it can have an impact on the other.

A child who might have trouble with speech sounds might be difficult to understand; on the other hand a child that might be experiencing problems with language might be able to pronounce words clearly, but understanding the meaning of what they are saying might be difficult.

Clearly there is a lot of overlap among the definition of language and speech!

Recommended: Speech and Language Milestones Late Talkers

What about a bilingual child?

Many parents also ask how this iceberg analogy applies to their bilingual child.

The answer is that bilingual language development is best viewed as two separate icebergs that are joined at the base where languages and ideas come from a common source;

This means that the surface structures of the two icebergs are speech systems of two different languages, which often have different sound systems.

Speech and Language Development

If you are interested in learning more about speech and language development check out our Expert Advice section with a range of articles written by Speech Therapists and Speech Pathologists who specialise in bilingualism.  

Subscribe  for related articles. Follow Bilingual KidSpot on  Facebook  and join our  online community and support group .

Bilingual Kidspot

Bilingual Kidspot is a website offering practical advice for parents seeking to raise bilingual or multilingual children; with inspiration, support and strategies based on experience as a parent, and as a teacher of a foreign language to children.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Bilingual Kidspot offers practical advice for parents seeking to raise bilingual kids and little global citizens. Created by an educator, and mother of bilingual kids, it is a place that provides inspiration, tools, and support; with strategies based on experience as a parent, and as a teacher of a foreign language to children.

Like Us On Facebook

How to Raise a Bilingual Child

Content on this website belongs to Bilingual Kidspot. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of any of this material without permission is prohibited. Instead share an excerpt with a link to the original page giving credit to Bilingual Kidspot or contact us to discuss partnership opportunities.

• About Bridget
• Join the List

What’s the Difference Between Speech and Language?

bridget September 9, 2019 Posts , Posts

Most of the time, we talk about speech and language together. It’s partly because they’re so closely connected and interrelated, but when you have a child with a hearing loss or a speech and language delay, you might start wondering about the difference. I remember that when I started my graduate program, I had the same question…aren’t speech and language the same thing?

They’re Different

No, not really, although they are intertwined. At the core, speech is how you say something, and language is what you say. Your speech is what you hear–how your tongue and lips and mouth make sounds, whether or not you have an accent, how your voice goes up and down, whether not you stutter…all of those things are speech.

Speech is also what we’re noticing when someone has difficulty producing a certain sound. If you’ve noticed someone having a lisp, or a child who can’t say their “R” sounds (ie wabbit instead of rabbit), you’ve noticed their speech. It’s how they’re saying their sounds that is catching your ear.

Language is the “meat” of what you’re saying. It’s the words you’re choosing and what they mean, it’s how you’re putting those words together into sentences, and how you’re changing the beginnings or endings of those words to mean different things (like girl vs girls or preschool vs school).

Language is also what we’re doing when we say something differently to different people. You might tell your spouse or partner “I feel gross,” while you’d tell your boss “I’m not feeling very well today.” Or, you might tell a child “Mommy needs to go potty,” while you would tell another adult “I need to use the bathroom” or something similar.

Different but Connected

While speech and language are different things, there are certainly connections. For spoken English, you need to understand and be able to produce the sounds (speech) in order to create sentences (language). You also need to understand what the words mean, how you can change those meanings, etc.

Consider native American Sign Language speakers for a moment. When someone is using ASL, you may not hear any audible sound (speech). But, do they use language? Absolutely! Instead of an audible voice and sound (speech), they are using their hands and a manual system. There are still words, meanings, and sets of rules (grammar) about how to put those words together to make structure.

Why Should You Care That They’re Different?

I purposefully kept this post simple. There is a ton more we could talk about in terms of speech and language, but I want to make sure readers understand the difference because when you have a child who has hearing loss and needs therapy to help acquire language, it matters.

For children with typical hearing born into a hearing family, they are exposed to speech AND language from the day they’re born. Sure, they hear their parents’ voices and the sounds they’re making (speech), but they also are hearing words and sentences, and the tone of voice when a parent is happy or angry (all of this is language).

Children born into Deaf families that use American Sign Language (ASL) have this early exposure to language as well–their parents are not using speech, but they are signing words and meanings and sentences, and their children are watching it. They are acquiring language.

For children with hearing loss who are born into a hearing family (which is somewhere around 95% of all children with hearing loss), they do not have access to language immediately–they can’t hear their parents talking and pick up the sounds (speech) and words and meanings and structure (language) like their peers.

This is why understanding the difference between speech and language is critical–if you have a child with hearing loss, your first priority should be to give them access to language. How language is accessed will be different for different families–some will choose American Sign Language, some listening and spoken language and amplification, some a combination of both.

If you are wanting listening and spoken language outcomes, I would love to help. Read about the services Mighty Voice can offer for families looking for these outcomes.

Get the Printable

In order to help clarify some of the differences between speech and language, I’ve created a printable version of the difference between speech and language for my readers. Fill in the form below to sign up for my email list, and I’ll send you the printable once you’ve confirmed your address.

Yes please!

Subscribe here, and once your email is confirmed you’ll have access to the printable and everything in the Listening and Spoken Language Resource Library. 

You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Please check your email to confirm and gain access to the LSL Library. 

Privacy Overview

What is the difference between speech and language?

Language is a synonym of speech ., in uncountable terms the difference between speech and language, in countable terms the difference between speech and language, as a verb language is, derived terms, related terms, etymology 1, etymology 2.

• Games & Quizzes
• History & Society
• Science & Tech
• Biographies
• Animals & Nature
• Geography & Travel
• Arts & Culture
• On This Day
• One Good Fact
• New Articles
• Lifestyles & Social Issues
• Philosophy & Religion
• Politics, Law & Government
• World History
• Health & Medicine
• Browse Biographies
• Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates
• Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates
• Environment
• Fossils & Geologic Time
• Entertainment & Pop Culture
• Sports & Recreation
• Visual Arts
• Demystified
• Image Galleries
• Infographics
• Top Questions
• Britannica Kids
• Saving Earth
• Space Next 50
• Student Center
• Introduction

Definitions of language

• Historical attitudes toward language
• Phonetics and phonology
• Pidgins and creoles
• Sign language
• Paralinguistics
• Symbolic and computer language
• Speech production
• Language acquisition
• Structural, or grammatical, meaning
• Lexical meaning
• General and specific designations
• Language and conceptualization
• Transmission of language and culture
• Language and social differentiation and assimilation
• Second-language learning
• Nationalistic influences on language
• Translation
• Messages and codes
• Bilingualism
• Evolution of writing systems
• Written versus spoken languages
• Changes through time
• Changes through geographical movement
• Tendencies against change
• Language typology

• What was Noam Chomsky’s early life like?
• How did Noam Chomsky influence the field of linguistics?
• What are Noam Chomsky’s politics?
• Where did writing first develop?
• Why was writing invented?

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

• Ancient Origins - How Does Language Emerge? Answer: Spontaneously
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association - What is Speech? What is Language?
• NSCC Libraries Pressbooks - Introduction to Sociology Lumen/OpenStax - Symbols and Language
• National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Language evolution and human history: what a difference a date makes
• Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Knowledge of Language
• Linguistic Society of America - How Did Language Begin?
• Social Sciences LibreTexts - Symbols and Language
• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Language and Symbols
• language - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
• language - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
• Table Of Contents

language , a system of conventional spoken, manual (signed), or written symbols by means of which human beings, as members of a social group and participants in its culture , express themselves. The functions of language include communication , the expression of identity , play , imaginative expression, and emotional release.

Characteristics of language

Many definitions of language have been proposed. Henry Sweet, an English phonetician and language scholar, stated: “Language is the expression of ideas by means of speech-sounds combined into words. Words are combined into sentences, this combination answering to that of ideas into thoughts.” The American linguists Bernard Bloch and George L. Trager formulated the following definition: “A language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols by means of which a social group cooperates.” Any succinct definition of language makes a number of presuppositions and begs a number of questions. The first, for example, puts excessive weight on “thought,” and the second uses “arbitrary” in a specialized, though legitimate , way.

A number of considerations (marked in italics below) enter into a proper understanding of language as a subject:

Every physiologically and mentally typical person acquires in childhood the ability to make use, as both sender and receiver, of a system of communication that comprises a circumscribed set of symbols (e.g., sounds, gestures, or written or typed characters). In spoken language , this symbol set consists of noises resulting from movements of certain organs within the throat and mouth. In signed languages , these symbols may be hand or body movements, gestures, or facial expressions. By means of these symbols, people are able to impart information, to express feelings and emotions, to influence the activities of others, and to comport themselves with varying degrees of friendliness or hostility toward persons who make use of substantially the same set of symbols.

Different systems of communication constitute different languages; the degree of difference needed to establish a different language cannot be stated exactly. No two people speak exactly alike; hence, one is able to recognize the voices of friends over the telephone and to keep distinct a number of unseen speakers in a radio broadcast. Yet , clearly, no one would say that they speak different languages. Generally, systems of communication are recognized as different languages if they cannot be understood without specific learning by both parties, though the precise limits of mutual intelligibility are hard to draw and belong on a scale rather than on either side of a definite dividing line. Substantially different systems of communication that may impede but do not prevent mutual comprehension are called dialects of a language. In order to describe in detail the actual different language patterns of individuals, the term idiolect , meaning the habits of expression of a single person, has been coined.

Typically, people acquire a single language initially—their first language, or native tongue, the language used by those with whom, or by whom, they are brought up from infancy. Subsequent “second” languages are learned to different degrees of competence under various conditions. Complete mastery of two languages is designated as bilingualism ; in many cases—such as upbringing by parents using different languages at home or being raised within a multilingual community—children grow up as bilinguals. In traditionally monolingual cultures , the learning, to any extent, of a second or other language is an activity superimposed on the prior mastery of one’s first language and is a different process intellectually.

Language, as described above, is species-specific to human beings. Other members of the animal kingdom have the ability to communicate, through vocal noises or by other means, but the most important single feature characterizing human language (that is, every individual language), against every known mode of animal communication, is its infinite productivity and creativity . Human beings are unrestricted in what they can communicate; no area of experience is accepted as necessarily incommunicable, though it may be necessary to adapt one’s language in order to cope with new discoveries or new modes of thought . Animal communication systems are by contrast very tightly circumscribed in what may be communicated. Indeed, displaced reference, the ability to communicate about things outside immediate temporal and spatial contiguity, which is fundamental to speech, is found elsewhere only in the so-called language of bees . Bees are able, by carrying out various conventionalized movements (referred to as bee dances) in or near the hive, to indicate to others the locations and strengths of food sources. But food sources are the only known theme of this communication system. Surprisingly, however, this system, nearest to human language in function, belongs to a species remote from humanity in the animal kingdom. On the other hand, the animal performance superficially most like human speech, the mimicry of parrots and of some other birds that have been kept in the company of humans, is wholly derivative and serves no independent communicative function. Humankind’s nearest relatives among the primates, though possessing a vocal physiology similar to that of humans, have not developed anything like a spoken language. Attempts to teach sign language to chimpanzees and other apes through imitation have achieved limited success, though the interpretation of the significance of ape signing ability remains controversial.

In most accounts, the primary purpose of language is to facilitate communication, in the sense of transmission of information from one person to another. However, sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic studies have drawn attention to a range of other functions for language. Among these is the use of language to express a national or local identity (a common source of conflict in situations of multiethnicity around the world, such as in Belgium, India , and Quebec). Also important are the “ludic” (playful) function of language—encountered in such phenomena as puns , riddles , and crossword puzzles —and the range of functions seen in imaginative or symbolic contexts , such as poetry , drama , and religious expression.

Language interacts with every aspect of human life in society, and it can be understood only if it is considered in relation to society. This article attempts to survey language in this light and to consider its various functions and the purposes it can and has been made to serve. Because each language is both a working system of communication in the period and in the community wherein it is used and also the product of its history and the source of its future development, any account of language must consider it from both these points of view.

The science of language is known as linguistics . It includes what are generally distinguished as descriptive linguistics and historical linguistics . Linguistics is now a highly technical subject; it embraces, both descriptively and historically, such major divisions as phonetics , grammar (including syntax and morphology ), semantics , and pragmatics , dealing in detail with these various aspects of language.

The Difference Between Speech and Language

Is there a difference between speech and language.

The terms speech and language are thrown around, almost interchangeably. But did you know there are actually a few key distinctions between these two different skills? If you have a child that has been referred to a Louisville speech pathologist , this is information is especially important.

Speech is the sounds you make in order to communicate. This includes articulation (how speech sounds are made), voice (use of the vocal cords and breathing to produce sound) and fluency (the rhythm of speech). A speech disorder occurs when a child is unable to produce speech sounds correctly or has problems with their voice.

For children, an important component to developing proper speech is being able to hear the sounds they and others are making. If a child is suffering from undiagnosed hearing loss, they are at risk of delayed speech development. Hearing loss is not the only disorder that can compromise a child’s ability to develop speech skills. An issue with the physiological components of speech (their lungs, vocal cords and mouth, including the tongue, lips, jaws and teeth) can also cause an issue with speech development.

Language is made up of the socially shared rules that include:

• What words means.
• How to conjugate words to make new words.
• How to correctly put words in order.
• What combinations of words are best in specific social situations.

If your child has trouble understanding other when they speak (receptive language) or sharing ideas, thoughts or feelings (expressive language) then they are suffering from a language disorder. Many children with these types of disorders suffer from learning disabilities.

The best way to treat a speech or language disorder is to identify it early. One of your (many, many, many) jobs as a parent is to pay close attention your child’s development and language milestones in comparison to other children their age. If an issue is caught early, your Louisville speech pathologist can enroll your child in the correct preschool or kindergarten program.

If you think your child may be suffering from a speech or language problem, don’t wait. Contact your local Louisville speech pathologist today.

Playing With Words 365

Educating, inspiring, and empowering parents & professionals in supporting young children's overall development

What is the Difference Between Speech and Language?

January 31, 2012 by Katie Filed Under: Speech & Language 101 21 Comments

This is by far the most common question I get asked. In fact, my mother asked me this very question just a couple weeks ago! I am actually very surprised at how many people who work in the field of education cannot define the difference between the two. So I’d love to take a moment to explain the difference between speech and language and also define communication because these terms are important for parents and educators to understand.

What is speech?

When we speech pathologists refer to the term speech we are referring to three things: articulation/phonological skills , speech fluency and voice. We are looking at a child’s ability to:

• Physically produce the individual sounds and sound patterns of his/her language ( Articulation ).
• Produce speech with appropriate rhythm, and free of Stuttering behavior.
• Produce speech with an appropriate  vocal quality for his/her age and sex.

These little ones may not have a lot of speech yet, but they probably understand quite a bit of language

What is Language?

While speech involves the physical motor ability to talk, language is a symbolic , rule governed system used to convey a message . In English, the symbols can be words, either spoken or written. We also have gestural symbols, like shrugging our shoulders to indicate “I don’t know” or waving to indicate “Bye Bye” or the raising of our eye brows to indicate that we are surprised by something.

I like how ASHA , the American Speech Language Hearing Association, defines language: 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 a 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 walk 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)

Some of these “rule” systems that govern a language can include syntax, semantics, phonology, morphology, and pragmatics. You can more about language in my post What is Language .

Language allows us to communicate

You can have language without having speech

Though speech and language are related, you do not have to have speech to have a language. How? The best example of this is the use of Sign Language . American Sign Language, or ASL, is its own language. It is not just a gestural form of American English. It has its own set of rules to govern how it is used: Its own symbols, syntax, pragmatics, etc. For example, in spoken English, the symbol for a four legged animal that says “Meow” is “cat” however the symbol for this same thing in ASL is the sign for “cat”. You can completely communicate in ASL without ever speaking a word. This is a language that does not use speech.

What is communication?

Communication, then, is the process of conveying a message or meaning to establish a shared understanding to others. You don’t need speech or a shared language to communicate . How? Let’s say you decide on a trip to Rome, but you don’t speak one word of Italian. You get off your plane, and you want to pick up your rental car, but you can’t read any of the signs. You find a local, but he doesn’t speak English. What can you do to communicate to this person that you want to know where the rental cars are? There are a couple ways. One, you could use your hands and gestures as if you are driving a car. Another way, could be to draw a picture of a car. This could help the local Roman help you find your way to the rental cars.

So in my example above, you are communicating without using speech or a shared language (i.e. English or Italian). You are using gestures or pictures to communicate!

Communication is always the first goal

When I am working with a young child who has significant speech and language impairments, communication is the first goal . By this, I mean that sometimes a child’s ability to communicate with speech and/or language is so impaired, that we need to bypass those methods and use an alternative or augmentative communication (AAC) system to get the child communicating as soon as possible. This could be using signs, pictures, or an electronic device to give the child the ability to communicate his or her wants and needs. Then once the child is communicating, we can focus on trying to improve his/her speech skills so that he/she can use speech to communicate his/her wants and needs. I’ll be posting more about AAC and its uses in a future post.

These little ones are probably communicating through gestures, facial expressions, and body language even though they aren’t using a lot of speech yet

So there you have it. Though related, speech and language are different! I hope this helps you all understand the two a little better.

About Katie

Katie is a licensed, credentialed and certified pediatric speech-language pathologist and mom to four (8, 6, 3 and 6 months). Her passion for educating, inspiring and empowering parents of children with all abilities led her to start her blog playing with words 365 where she shares information about speech & language development & intervention strategies, parenting, photography and a little about her family life too. Katie has been working in the field of speech pathology for 12 years and is certified in The Hanen Centre’s It Takes Two to Talk ® and Target Word ® programs and holds a certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). In addition to blogging and being a mommy, Katie works part time in her small private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can follow her on Facebook , Pinterest and Twitter .

January 31, 2012 at 9:38 pm

Very nicely explained. 🙂

January 31, 2012 at 9:41 pm

Thanks Christina! 😀

June 21, 2012 at 1:26 am

very well said.. you should be famous or something:)

May 5, 2013 at 2:18 am

Best ever explanation of the difference between the two.

June 1, 2013 at 8:54 am

Thanks a LOT dear

August 12, 2013 at 9:14 pm

Very informative and lucidly put. Thank you!

August 20, 2013 at 6:14 pm

Thanks a lot a well prepared comments

October 20, 2013 at 7:59 am

Thanks for this!. I”m a school student conducting research for a Home Ec project on Speech and Language Development, which accounts for 15 % of my end of year state of exams. I would be delighted if you could offer any advice etc.

November 19, 2013 at 2:34 pm

Added this to my blog as an “info” link. Thanks!

November 19, 2013 at 4:27 pm

Wonderful, thanks so much! 🙂

November 21, 2013 at 3:41 am

My daughter when she was two could label about 200 items, but could not for the life of her communicate. If she wanted something on the counter that she could not reach, she would throw herself on the ground and cry until I picked up the right item and it was in her hot little hand, leaving me often guessing and handing her multiple items before I gave her the correct one. No non-verbal communication either like pointing or reaching. However, once the item was in her hand, she would label it correctly, e.g., “water” or “cup.” So there was speech with no communication. Thankfully those days are over, and she is now 11 and able to share with me just have unhappy her pre-teen self is with her embarrassing mother. 🙂

November 21, 2013 at 4:27 pm

Tara, yes you absolutely can have speech without communication! I am happy to hear those, I am sure frustrating, days are behind you! Thanks for your comment!

June 9, 2014 at 3:59 pm

I’m from Brazil, and your texts are helping me a lot! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

December 19, 2015 at 1:44 pm

Hello Thanks I have started following your teachings. Ebow is my name, I am in in Accra, Ghana West of Africa. My son is turning 3 but just makes funny sounds. He tries to repeat what we say but am I not sure if he understands. However he seems to be follow able to follow instructions. He spends too much time sucking the tongue. He will most of the time rather murder what I say sucking on his tongue than say it accurately opening the lips. keep your good work, have me in mind as you send info across cos I am learning in order to help my boy. Any personal advice is also welcome. Thank you, once again.

September 18, 2016 at 12:58 pm

Hi Katie, I am an English major and I am now learning Language Acquisition and Language Linguistics, I hope to learn more about language and and the different rules of Linguistics as language and Linguistics both go hand in hand. Your blog has helped me to understand speech and language. I found it a bit difficult to understand but you cleared it up nicely for me.

Thanks A lot!

November 22, 2016 at 10:36 am

Great article thanks for clarifying and sharing!

January 28, 2017 at 8:46 am

Hi Katie, My son is around two and a half years old who can read and identify A to Z, 1 to 20, colors, fruits, vegetables with ease. He can even identify and name family members and other relatives. But the problem is that he doesn’t communicate with his parents and other family members as he doesn’t utter any complete sentences apadt from a few two word sentences. Whenever he talks to us we are not able to understand as his words are not clear. His sentences sound like aa wuda me la ne daaoo. Wat should we do.

September 25, 2017 at 1:22 am

Hi Katie, My name is jaina. I’m mother of 2 boys 4 and 2. I’m having problems with my older one with speaking. he can understsand what I’m saying. but his answers are still in one or two words. he goes to school 3 days a week but still not fully talking. we do speak 2 languages but still he is not talking fluently in our language either. How can I help my son ta talk. Can you please help me. Thank you, Jaina

November 10, 2017 at 9:37 am

Hi I teach Deaf and Hard of hearing preschool aged children and i am ever so grateful to see the inclusion of ASL as a viable language in your article!

January 26, 2018 at 11:33 am

I would like to have further knowledge as a specialist educator. Thanks for directing me to accredited school to get my certificate. I’m an Army Civilian Preschool teacher speaking almost 5 languages.

[…] children are developing their speech and language skills, it can be hard to know what type of help they need. This is one reason that experts say “don’t […]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• cheap nfl jerseys
• nhl jerseys canada
• cheap jerseys from china

Difference between Language and Speech

What is the difference between language and speech.

Language as a noun is a form of communication using words either spoken or gestured with the hands and structured with grammar, often with a writing system. while Speech as a noun is the faculty of speech; the ability to speak or to use vocalizations to communicate.

Part of speech: noun

Definition: A form of communication using words either spoken or gestured with the hands and structured with grammar, often with a writing system. The ability to communicate using words. Nonverbal communication. A computer language. The vocabulary and usage used in a particular specialist field. The particular words used in speech or a passage of text. Profanity.

Example sentence: Of all of our inventions for mass communication, pictures still speak the most universally understood language.

Definition: The faculty of speech; the ability to speak or to use vocalizations to communicate. A session of speaking; a long oral message given publicly usually by one person.

Example sentence: Eloquent speech is not from lip to ear, but rather from heart to heart.

We hope you now know whether to use Language or Speech in your sentence.

coherency vs cohesion

Hale vs cart, shawwal and shawwal - what's the difference, grogginess and semiconsciousness - what's the difference, difference between fluff and bumble, difference between licorice and anise, good vs nice, erose and rough - what's the difference, popular articles, 4k tvs vs. 8k tvs - what's the real difference, reading on an ipad vs reading on a kindle, the fascination with vinyl: vinyl vs. cd vs. streaming services, difference between level 1, level 2 and level 3 electric car chargers.

People often get confused between similar sounding words or synonyms. Most of the time these words have slightly different meanings, and some time entirely different meanings. We help people discover the difference between these words.

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Voice, Speech, and Language

• Developmental Language Disorder

Diseases and Conditions

• Apraxia of Speech
• Auditory Processing Disorder
• Autism Spectrum Disorder: Communication Problems in Children
• Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis or Laryngeal Papillomatosis
• Spasmodic Dysphonia
• Vocal Fold Paralysis

More Health Information

• Clinical Studies: Information for the Public and Potential Volunteers
• MedlinePlus Consumer Health Database — at nlm.nih.gov

Communication Resources

Information specialists can answer your questions in English or Spanish.

Our glossary provides definitions of medical words used on the NIDCD website.

Order free publications. Find organizations. Get content for your site and much more.

Voice, Speech, and Language in the News: NIDCD-Supported Research

• September 28, 2023 NIH launches new initiative: Tackling Acquisition of Language in Kids (TALK)
• June 20, 2024 Voice disorder prevalence and vocal health characteristics in children
• May 29, 2024 Babies babble squeals and growls in clustering patterns observable from birth through the first year, suggesting this active vocal exploration is important to speech development

Related Topics

• Nearly 1 in 12 Children Ages 3–17 Has a Disorder Related to Voice, Speech, Lang…
• Prevent Voice Problems: Stay Hydrated (Multimedia content)
• Statistics and Epidemiology
• Developmental Milestones in Children Through Age 5 - Centers for Disease Contro…