Explain the differences and similarities between communication, language, and speech. How do these components interact with one another?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Communication is the exchange of messages between a speaker and a listener. Language refers to the use of symbols or letter sounds that are used in various combinations to form words, syntax or rules that guide sentence structure, and grammar. Speech, on the other hand, refers to the oral–motor movements that are required to form letter sounds and words when communicating with others. Speech is the foundation of communicating with others. We have to be able to move our mouths and coordinate our muscles to form letter sounds when speaking. After this coordination is learned and children become able to make letter sounds based on clusters of letters, they begin to learn the language and the rules that govern the way words are put together into sentences. Speech skills on their own do not allow children to effectively communicate. Children must be able to understand how words are supposed to be put together into sentences in order to get their needs effectively met. Finally, children who have mastered the speech and language components of spoken language can begin to understand the back-and-forth exchange of words between a speaker and a listener--communication. Once speech and language needs are met, the child can begin to effectively communicate his or her needs and desires to individuals in their environment.