Discover the Characteristics of Language and Speech

Despite the fact that many are not aware of it, language and speech are part of the elements that we use daily to communicate. In this article we will take care of providing you with all the necessary information on the subject, from the origin to the main language features and he speaks.

Characteristics of the language

Language is a system of linguistic signs, which are used by various communities in order to communicate among their members. These signs are part of a group of functional oppositions that are quite constant and are below the phonic materiality.

Language and speech hold certain elements to each other. One functions as the system made up of linguistic signs that enable members of a community to maintain healthy and unilateral communication. The other, as its name indicates, is the communicative act through which a person manages to transmit his thoughts with the help of ordered and articulated sounds.

In addition, they are doubly articulated, which means that the construction and discovery of meaning take place on two levels. The first deals with the significant entities, that is, the morphemes and lexemes that constitute the statements. The second builds the significant units of the phonemes.

Therefore, all languages are structured in several categories; phonetic-phonological, syntactic-semantic, morphological-semantic and lexical-semantic. When we talk about how this communication develops, we can highlight that it can be carried out both in speeches and in texts and, not only is it governed by strict regulations, but it also adapts to the context in which it is carried out Starting from the language the first three levels of linguistic description were established: phonology, linguistic morphology and syntax.

Origin

Since long before the appearance of linguistics, the human being was on the search for the emergence of language. Currently, its origin remains quite uncertain and enigmatic. What we can find on the internet and in books related to the subject, is an infinity of studies that offer hypotheses made by archaeologists, anthropologists, geneticists and linguists where it is presumed that the language dates back to a single and common origin. However, many others have already refuted such a possibility.

Creation of languages

Although the birth of the language is still unknown, it is known how they are created. Languages are produced due to several causes, among the most prominent are these three:

The first of the possible causes is the close and isolated contact of a group of people, who speak different languages in a given space, as is the case of Creole or Creole languages. This is because, being in a place separated from the rest of the world and unable to communicate, the human being will always find one way or another the way to do it.

Another of the reasons that could cause the creation of a new language is the need of a country, people or region, of a national identity that reaffirms its strength as a community. This is the case of Modern Hebrew, Swahili, Indonesian, Norwegian, Mapuche, Katharevousa, etc.
Thirdly, we find the development of an emerging language in order to promote the exchange of information at an international level, such as Esperanto, which is considered the most widespread and spoken planned language around the world.

There is a fourth aspect, only it could not be considered as the creation of formal languages, rather its much more playful and even literary, they do not have a real function within linguistics. We are talking about fictional languages corresponding to science fiction series or movies. These are designed with the aim of popularizing the program where it is spoken, such as; the Klingon language, Sindarin, Kobaien, among others.

PREMIUM QUALITY

Language can be divided into several types depending on whether it is a native or second language, whether it is natural or constructed, or whether it is a living or dead language. So that you understand a little more about their classification, we will proceed to investigate each of them in depth.

mother tongue and second language

The mother tongue is all that which is assimilated by the infant during his first years of life in the home or closest social group, often this occurs unconsciously. In order for an individual to be considered the language they speak as their mother tongue, it must meet certain characteristics, such as whether it is the first language they learned, whether it has been transmitted by the people who raised them, and whether it is the one they use the most when transmitting. complex ideas, terms of an intellectual nature or feelings and emotions.

On the other hand, the second language is the one that is learned consciously with the help of study and dedication. As its name indicates, it tends to always be used as a second option, never as the main one.

natural language and constructed language

Natural languages are those that have been established over many years as a result of social practices, thus determining the structure of the signs that make up said communication system. Both its origin and its evolution may be subject to influences from other languages.

On the other hand, the constructed languages are an invention of one or more people, who deliberately establish the signs and norms that will govern the language, hence the name of planned language. An example of this is the Quenya and Sindarin languages, which were created by JRR Tolkien for "The Lord of the Rings" and many other literary worlds of his.

living language and dead language

A living language is one that is used consistently by a group or community large enough to preserve and ensure its development and diffusion for a long time, regardless of whether it is native, dominant, natural or constructed. To exemplify the concept we could mention Guaraní, an indigenous language originating from Paraguay established as the co-official language of the country, and used in other localities such as Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia.

On the contrary, a dead language is one that does not have any active speakers, hindering its possible continuity and expansion. Latin is a dead language, because although at present there are still documents written in Latin and, in addition, it is the official language of the Vatican, it does not have enough people who speak it to be able to guarantee its durability.

Features

The characteristics of the language are broken down based on its classification, that is, oral and written. For this reason, we are going to develop them in this way:

oral language

This is a type of language normally used in the colloquial and daily communication of the human being, in it the participants interact within the framework of the dialogue. Some of the functions and generalities that the oral language has are:

It is closely related to the context, since the discourse is constructed based on it. In addition to this, it is a language that complies with the interrelation of a systematic type framed in the pragmatism of dialogue. In it the use of grammar is unlimited.

The oral language is quite ephemeral, due to the fact that it does not take shape anywhere, it does not last over time. This happens in the moment, and the information transmitted is only stored in the mind of the receiver, unless it is recorded. It is not lasting, on the contrary, it is fast, direct and, above all, spontaneous.
It is characterized by the use of paralinguistic elements, such as; gestures, tones of voice, etc. In addition, it uses a textual and auditory channel.
It is applied in various communicative situations. When they are carried out, three elements of great importance come into play: the sender, the message and the recipients. As we already mentioned in the first point, these components are defined depending on their purpose and context.

Written language

Unlike oral language, written language has a notational system within its particularities, which means that it presents a series of graphic signs and rules that must be respected. These signs in turn are divided into: alphabetic writing (letters and punctuation marks) and number system (numbers). Some of the characteristics of the written language are:

Being embodied in a sheet, screen or any other object, the written language works with the help of a visual channel. Both the reader and the writer must use their sight to transmit and receive information. Both use the same sense to be able to communicate.
The communicative process is elaborated, since this type of language requires it. The reason is simple, so that the receiver can understand the message easily, the sender must elaborate it in a correct way and adjust the grammatical and linguistic regulations. Also, in the event that an error occurs, the text can be modified over and over again without the receiver noticing.

Given that the issuer writes his ideas in a specific place and time, also on a medium (paper, wood, digital formats, etc.), what he writes can be read long after or in just a few minutes. In neither case is communication instantaneous. The good thing about this type of language is that in one way or another it lasts through the years.
Non-verbal codes are generally not present in written language. These are only used in the type of support used and the layout of the text in it.
Throughout the composition of the text, there is no interaction or at least it is almost nil. Usually the author will not be able to know what the opinion of the reader is. There are some exceptions like with modern digital media, where users can give their opinion and create healthy feedback.
The text is completely autonomous from the context. An example of this, are the writers with books from hundreds of years ago, they cannot know what the characteristics of the context of the reader will be, who grabs their book long after its publication.
It has two levels: formal and informal. The first is applied in the scientific, philosophical and literary fields. The second tends to be used in messages aimed at more informal recipients and for the purpose of socializing. This message is full of colloquial and vulgar expressions.

What is Speech?

The term speaks comes from the Latin fābŭla, which means: rumour, conversation, gossip. This does not refer directly to the act of speaking or the execution of a series of linguistic forms by a speaker. Rather, it works as a realization of a language, or rather, the individual act with which a person takes advantage of a language to communicate. In it, a message is elaborated based on the rules and grammatical conventions that are shared in a specific linguistic community.

In fact, speech represents the oral medium of human communication. For this reason, it implies the materialization of the ideas and thoughts of an individual and, therefore, a specific way in which each human being uses his language to express himself and demonstrate who he really is. Despite the above, there is also a meaning that defines speech as the faculty, action and way of speaking of a subject, only it is less frequently heard.

Elements

Speech is fundamentally composed of three elements so that it can be carried out, these are: articulation, voice and fluency. We are going to develop a little each one for a better understanding.

Joint: this constitutes the materialization of the phonemes that make up a language, that is, the realization of its sounds. An example of this is the letter «ese», which should normally be taught to children, because during their first years they tend to make the sound of the «s» like that of a «t» (tol instead of sol). ). In Spanish, the letter S has two different sounds: one obstruent consonant, fricative and alveolar and the other dental-alveolar and voiceless. The first is performed in the regions where the /θ/ phoneme exists, the second where it does not exist.
Voice: it is the result of the vibration of our vocal chords and breathing. Being the way of the human being to produce sound, this mechanism must be taken care of very much. In the event that it is used too much or used in the wrong way, it can cause temporary loss of voice.
Fluency: fluency is the rhythm or speed of each person at the time of developing their speech. There are problems that can seriously affect this element, such as dysrhythmia, better known as stuttering.

The lack of any of these three elements hinders the proper development of speech and, therefore, will hinder or limit a person's ability to communicate.

PREMIUM QUALITY

Like language, speech could be divided into levels or types according to its formality: cultured speech and colloquial speech. Each one has its own characteristics and very well defined.

cultured speech

Educated speech is directly related to the oral execution of the language adopted by a group of individuals, but more attached to the educated norm. Generally, this is used in situations of extreme formality; conferences, public addresses, master classes, media, etc. This would mean that it is a much more careful type of speech, where the least margin of error is attempted.

colloquial speech

When we refer to colloquial speech, it is all that in which the language is used in a more informal way, usually with the company of family and friends. It is quite spontaneous and expressive, so it is allowed to ignore or at least set aside a little, all the regulations of the language. It is recommended that it not be used in formal situations, since it would be considerably affecting the development of an optimal communication situation.

Features

Speech, being a concretion of language, has several characteristics that define it and differentiate it from language itself and language. Therefore, below we will explain the most outstanding features of it.

One of the most notable differences between speech and language is that it is totally individual, since it varies according to each individual or community. It allows everyone to have their own way of communicating in relation to their skills, knowledge and experiences. Usually, it is influenced by the place, region or country where the person lives. This is formally known as sociolinguistics, a discipline that is responsible for studying language as a social and cultural phenomenon, not as an abstract system.

Because it is based on articulated sounds emitted by the air as it passes through our lungs and pharynx, speech is considered material, since the main function of the process is that of making our vocal cords vibrate in different ways to transmit sounds. The sound waves function as the vehicle to transport the coded message to the receiver's ears. This particularity means that speech can be recorded and later reproduced, unlike language, which is abstract.
It focuses on encoded meanings that travel via sound waves from sender to receiver. For this reason, it is ephemeral, once the waves stop being emitted, speech disappears. As a consequence, its duration time is limited, each one of the emitted words has an established lifetime. The ideas expressed remain present only in the memory of those who perceived them.
In relation to the aforementioned point, speech is made up of a series of sounds which must be emitted and perceived in a linear manner in order to have consistency. The order of the sounds is extremely important here, since saying "house" is not the same as saying "asac", everything that is spoken has a beginning and an end, it works like a line.
Finally, we find that it is mutable and varied, since a person never speaks the same way all the time, much less uses the same words, terms or intonations. Speech is a whole communicative event, it can be adapted to multiple contexts, audiences, moods and topics with great ease. In other words, it can be modified based on what the sender wants to transmit.

speech development

Speech is an innate capacity of the human being, since it is born with it and is not acquired through education or experience. The only thing is that it reaches its maximum development as a result of obtaining the language, during its first years of life. However, it is a process that is contemplated in several stages, these are:

From birth to 5 months: in this period, infants make noises when spoken to, because they can recognize voices. In addition, it cooes and tends to vocally express its joy or discomfort through laughter and crying.
From 6 to 11 months: here the babbling begins and the repetitive pronunciation of basic and meaningless syllables, such as pa-pá and ma-má. Almost in the eleventh month of life, the baby begins to communicate with the help of gestures, tries to repeat sounds and occasionally manages to pronounce her first words with some meaning.
From 12 to 17 months: the infant can answer simple questions but without words, since he has a vocabulary of only four or six words and with an unclear or questionable pronunciation.
From 18 to 23 months: The child's vocabulary begins to expand due to the repetition of the words he hears in his daily environment, usually reaching a total of 50 words. Additionally, it imitates sounds of recognized animals (cats, dogs, cows, ducks, etc), asks for food by its respective name and can combine easy words. At the end of the period you can pronounce simple sentences.

From 2 to 3 years: spatial concepts begin to be handled, the first pronouns and some descriptive terms are learned, such as big, good, rich, among others. The sentences can already be composed of 3 or 4 words, in addition to this, the little ones begin to use inflections for their sentences (questions and exclamations).
From 3 to 4 years: Once children reach this stage, they recognize colors, associate objects, and express basic ideas or feelings. They can also repeat complete sentences and use language in a playful way, whether in games, poems or songs. The pronunciation of the infant is much clearer and more concise.
From 4 to 5 years: Between the ages of four and five, they already have the ability to understand quite complicated questions, use irregular verbs and various complex forms of language, but with great difficulty. They often confuse long words or words made up of many syllables.
From 5 to 6 years: the little one dominates the language and speaks enough to be part of a conversation, in it he uses compound and difficult sentences, describes objects and uses his imagination to create an infinity of stories. Even the management of the language that he possesses allows him to learn aspects unknown to him.

the act of speaking

If language is considered as a communication system, it can be asserted that a large number of animals speak. However, no animal is, much less can it be at all, capable of engaging in a conversation with us. Not even monkeys, with which various studies have been done, can communicate with humans directly despite the fact that they have abstract methods to do so.

This inability to speak is due to the anatomy of most animals. The larynx is an organ of the body whose main function is to produce sounds and modulate the resonance box that modifies them (the pharynx). Said organ has an internal cavity that is delimited by cartilage, ligaments and muscles and has significantly reduced dimensions with respect to the external circumference.

The vocal cords, also called folds, are two antero-posterior horizontal reliefs that divide it into three segments; the upper or vestibule, the middle and the lower. Each of these has its own function:

The upper segment is responsible for communicating the vocal cords with the pharynx and limits with the posterior face of the epiglottis.
The middle segment is the narrowest part and encompasses the folds. Inside the ventricular fold is the cleft for the vestibule, and inside the vocal folds is the cleft for the glottis. Depending on each person and their breathing and phonation phases, the shape and width of the slit of the glottis changes.
The lower segment is extended downwards and has a cylindrical shape.

Depending on the length, thickness and tension of the vocal cords, the height of the voice and its quality will be affected for better or worse. For its part, the intensity will be determined by the pressure of the air current and, the timbre, to the supralaryngeal airways.

The tongue, the soft palate and the lips are vital for the articulation of language, while the pharynx forms a true resonance box, as we mentioned earlier. At the moment that an individual changes the position of his neck, either down or up, his larynx modifies the amplitude of the box and, therefore, also radically alters the sound emission.

The position of the larynx with respect to the neck also influences the way you breathe and swallow. So, in an animal like a monkey or a newborn baby, it sits very high in the neck and considerably blocks the nasopharynx, making it possible for them to breathe and drink at the same time.

However, such a high positioned larynx also reduces the pharyngeal sounding board in such a way that it precludes your ability to speak. What the monkeys do is articulate different sounds with the help of their lips and mouth, they cannot communicate as we do.

Something similar happens in an infant, except that during growth the larynx progressively moves downwards and, in a period of two years, the way of breathing and swallowing changes drastically and there the ability to vocalize is acquired. This is simply a process that is quite mysterious and is not yet fully known, because even when speaking the human being uses other vital organs in addition to these.

In our lives, language and speech have become so important that we are even capable of altering our respiratory rate to carry them out, sometimes there are people who change their discursive rhythm and do not even realize that they do so, because they do not know tired of talking

Speech and communication problems

When a person has difficulty understanding others or being able to express their thoughts, ideas or emotions, they have a speech and language disorder. Currently, a myriad of speech-related problems and their possible causes have been studied. Many can mildly, severely or severely affect said communicative faculty. For this reason, we wanted to mention the most common disorders. These are:

Language disorder or dysphasia
Phonological disorder or dyslalia
Social (pragmatic) communication disorder
Stuttering or dysphemia
Dysarthria
Dysglossia
aphasias
Tachyphemia or stuttering

In schools, in first grade it is estimated that 5% of the children who make up a classroom have quite noticeable speech problems. As there are so many disorders, science has been in charge of studying them and finding a solution for it, creating techniques and methods to eradicate them or simply improve them, since each one has its corresponding treatment. From there, speech therapists are born, who have studied these issues in depth for many years to offer help to parents and teachers.

These specialists dedicated to the study of speech and communication, will provide the child with tools that will help him improve his language skills. In the event that you notice that your child may suffer from any of them, do not hesitate to go to a therapist, because they will help you and in a few months you will be able to observe the difference in the child's way of communicating. Likewise, ask for the necessary information so that you can also contribute to its improvement from home. So that you have a more precise knowledge, we have brought you this following video:

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