Spoken language

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A statue of two men using a spoken language to converse

A spoken language is a form of communication produced through articulate sounds or, in some cases, through manual gestures. Oral or vocal languages are those spoken languages produced using the vocal tract, whereas sign languages are produced with the body and hands.

The term is used in contrast to written language. Unlike writing, spoken languages are not persistent, and information communicated with a spoken language cannot be retrieved after it is produced, unless it is somehow recorded. Since written languages require the development and acquisition of a writing system, spoken language is the only form of a language when writing systems are not developed or not yet acquired. As such, spoken languages are relevant to the study of human history and language acquisition.

Definition

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The term "spoken language" is sometimes used to mean only oral languages, especially by linguists, excluding sign languages and making the terms 'spoken', 'oral', 'vocal language' synonymous. Others refer to sign language as "spoken", especially in contrast to written transcriptions of signs.[1][2][3] A spoken language also uses sound patterns like vowels, consonants, and tones to express a message.[4]

Relation between spoken and written language

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The relationship between spoken language and written language is complex. Within the fields of linguistics, the current consensus is that speech is an innate human capability, and written language is a cultural invention.[5] However, some linguists, such as those of the Prague school, argue that written and spoken language possess distinct qualities which would argue against written language being dependent on spoken language for its existence.[6]

Acquiring spoken language

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Hearing children acquire as their first language the language that is used around them, whether vocal, cued (if they are sighted), or signed. Deaf children can do the same with Cued Speech or sign language if either visual communication system is used around them. Vocal language is traditionally taught to them in the same way that written language must be taught to hearing children. (See oralism.)[7][8] Teachers give particular emphasis on spoken language with children who speak a different primary language outside of the school. For the child it is considered important, socially and educationally, to have the opportunity to understand multiple languages.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Groce, Nora Ellen (1985). Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language: Hereditary Deafness on Martha's Vineyard. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-27041-1.
  2. ^ Hoemann, Harry W. (1986). Introduction to American sign language. Bowling Green, Ohio: Bowling Green Press. ISBN 978-0-9614621-0-9.
  3. ^ Brooks, Patricia; Kempe, Vera (2012). Language Development. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley. ISBN 978-1-4443-3146-2.
  4. ^ Blevins, Juliette (24 July 2024). "Phonology". Open Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science. doi:10.21428/e2759450.032c68ca. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  5. ^ Pinker, Steven; Bloom, Paul (December 1990). "Natural Language and Natural Selection". Behavioral and Brain Sciences. 13 (4): 707–727. doi:10.1017/S0140525X00081061. S2CID 6167614.
  6. ^ Aaron, P. G.; Joshi, R. Malatesha (September 2006). "Written Language Is as Natural as Spoken language: A Biolinguistic Perspective". Reading Psychology. 27 (4): 263–311. doi:10.1080/02702710600846803. S2CID 143184400.
  7. ^ Rickerson, E.M. "What's the difference between dialect and language?". The Five Minute Linguist. College of Charleston. Archived from the original on 19 December 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  8. ^ "Languages Facts". Archived from the original on 24 October 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  9. ^ Clay, Marie M. (30 April 2015). Record of oral language: observing changes in the acquisition of language structures: a guide for teaching. Auckland, New Zealand: Global Education Systems. ISBN 978-0-325-07457-3. OCLC 989724897.