Spoken language

A spoken language is a language produced by articulate sounds, as opposed to a . Many languages have no written form and so are only spoken. An oral language or vocal language is a language produced with the vocal tract, as opposed to a , which is produced with the hands and face. The term "spoken language" is sometimes used to mean only vocal languages, especially by linguists, making all three terms synonyms by excluding sign languages. Others refer to sign language as "spoken", especially in contrast to written transcriptions of signs.

In spoken language, much of the meaning is determined by the context. That contrasts with written language in which more of the meaning is provided directly by the text. In spoken language, the truth of a proposition is determined by common-sense reference to experience, but in written language, a greater emphasis is placed on logical and coherent argument. Similarly, spoken language tends to convey subjective information, including the relationship between the speaker and the audience, whereas written language tends to convey objective information.

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

Both vocal and sign languages are composed of . In vocal languages, words are made up from a limited set of and , and often . In sign languages, words are made up from a limited set of shapes, orientations, locations movements of the hands, and often facial expressions; in both cases, the building blocks are called . In both vocal and sign languages, words are and linked into , , and larger units of .

Hearing children acquire as their the language that is used around them, whether vocal, cued (if they are sighted) signed. Deaf children can do the same with Cued Speech or sign language if either visual communication system is used around them. Vocal language are traditionally taught to them in the same way that written language must be taught to hearing children. (See .)

See also

References

1. Nora Groce (1985) Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language: Hereditary Deafness on Martha's Vineyard
2. Harry Hoemann (1986) Introduction to American sign language
3. Brooks & Kempe (2012) Language Development
4. Tannen, Deborah (1982). Spoken and written language: exploring orality and literacy. Norwood, N.J.: ABLEX Pub. Corp.
5. Pinker, S., & Bloom, P. (1990). Natural language and natural selection. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 13, 707–784.
6. Aaron, P. G., & Joshi, R. M. (2006). Written language is as natural as spoken language: A biolinguistic perspective. Reading Psychology, 27(4), 263–311.
7. Rickerson, E.M. . The Five Minute Linguist. College of Charleston. October 23, 2016 දින මුල් පිටපත වෙතින් සංරක්ෂණය කරන ලදී. සම්ප්‍රවේශය October 23, 2016. {{}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; $1 suggested (); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) ()
8. "Languages Facts". October 23, 2016 දින මුල් පිටපත වෙතින් සංරක්ෂණය කරන ලදී. සම්ප්‍රවේශය October 23, 2016. {{}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) ()