The language of an area is mostly dependent upon its culture, religion, nation, and, most importantly, on history. Some of the languages have changed with time, and some just have vanished into thin air.
It is a very important tool for communication. Another such tool is speech which means the act of expressing. Both of them are important for livelihood. These are similar to communication tools but do not mean they are synonyms.
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
The difference between Language and Speech is Language describes the general idea of the message that need to be communicated and is a tool by which human understand each other, whereas speech describes the way of communicating that particular message verbally, it is the expression of feelings and thoughts. Languages have their rules, codes, signs, and types, but speech does not have any of these. It simply includes speaking.
Language is a very important part of humankind. Because of language, all the development from Stone Age has taken place.
It is a means of communication and is different in different areas. It includes speeches, gestures, writing, etc. Linguistics is the scientific study of language.
If an individual is verbally or vocally communicating by using any language, it is called speech. In this thought, feelings and ideas are interchanged between humans.
It is the easiest and most effective way of communication where direct communication takes place. A very simple and common example of this is two people talking with each other.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Language | Speech |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | The Communication system of a country or area. | Verbal communication by using languages. |
| Tool of communication | Use to write, understand, etc. | Used for verbal communication. |
| Role | Express ideas need to be communicated. | Show how the message has to be communicated. |
| Rules | It has certain rules. | No such rules |
| Usage of codes | Codes are used sometimes as the language (computer language) | No codes are used. |
What is Language?
Without language, it is not possible to communicate. It is a very important part of life.
Languages have the following characteristics:
- Arbitrary: in language, there is no reason behind the meanings and words of the language. For example, there is no proof or reason why a female is called a woman in English. It is completely arbitrary. But after a certain word is given a meaning, it is fixed and cannot be used for referring to something else.
- Social: through language, humans communicate with each. They try to understand each other and form groups in society. Languages perform as a means of socializing as through this, and people feel connection and relation among each other.
- Symbolic: language not only contains words but also has symbols with meaning. It is very important to know the language to understand the exact meaning of a particular symbol.
- Systematic: all languages have a system with some rules. This system has to be followed to learn and speak the language. For example, various grammar rules must be handled properly in the grammatical system.
- Vocal: earlier language was only vocal later on, writing came into existence. But still, nowadays, some people may not know how to write a particular language but vocally speak the same language fluently.
- Productive and creative: languages are very creative and productive. Words can be arranged in a different sense which is not heard or read before. It is also very flexible as it can be changed as needed by society.
What is Speech?
Speech is the process of conveying a message by using language.
It has certain elements:
- Speaker: it is the person who starts the conversion/communication. A particular person starts communication with a single or group of people. It is important that whatever the speaker is conveying, he should have all the information about that.
- Message: a message is an important part of the speech. This is important that the speaker not only conveys the message but also makes the listener understand the message properly.
- Channel: the medium through which the message is delivered is known as a channel. It can be written or spoken. With easy internet access, the channel has become more effective and convenient. The message can reach millions in very little time.
- Listener: listener is someone to whom the message is being conveyed. The listener should always pay attention to the speech for better understanding.
- Feedback: feedback is important as it leads to improvising speech. It is healthy to have feedback from the listener about what they think and feel about the speech.
- Interference: interference disturbs the message from delivering to the listener; it can be anything from the fan’s noise or lack of interest.
- Situation: it means the place and time of conveying the message. It is important to understand all the aspects of speech so that a proper message is conveyed without any interference.
Main Differences Between Language and Speech
- Both language and speech are tools of communication, but language is used to write and understand thoughts and feelings or perceptions, whereas, in speech, all the thoughts, perceptions, and feelings are communicated verbally.
- The role of language is to express the idea that needs to be communicated, and in speech, it is shown how the same idea has to be communicated.
- Certain rules of different languages have to be taken care of, but there is no such rule with speech, although it has certain components such as Articulation, Voice, and fluency.
- There are types of language which also include the language of signs, where communication is done in signs only, but in speech, no such type of actual verbal communication must be done.
- Codes are also included in the types of language, especially for the computer, i.e., computer language or programming, but no such codes are included in the speech.
- https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED023656
- https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED150613
- https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED095550
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/24940617
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=_KL1y5bRGfAC&oi=fnd&pg=PA253&dq=what+is+speech&ots=kfylSIehNK&sig=X6TMndk00TUr77nxkWlyS1QjRa8
- https://pure.mpg.de/rest/items/item_2310402/component/file_2453272/content
Last Updated : 22 June, 2023
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
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.