EXERCISES

1. What is meant by the statement: Primitive languages are concrete and graphic, rather than abstract and symbolic?

2. How would a scientist formulate an opinion as to how the human race developed its speech?

3. What elements of truth does each theory of the origin of speech possess? Are they incompatible with each other, or may they be harmonized?

4. Does speech necessarily involve a purpose on the part of the speaker?

5. Explain and illustrate some very simple types of speech.

6. Is the term speech synonymous with social control, or are there non-speech types of social control? Illustrate.

7. Give a three to five minute talk on the topic: The speech of animals as I have observed it.

THE

ELEMENTS OF SPEECH

PART I

WHAT SPEECH IS

CHAPTER I

DEFINITIONS

I. SPEECH AS A MEANS OF SOCIAL ADAPTATION AND CONTROL

II. SPEECH AND MENTAL PROCESSES

III. THE SPEECH CODE

A. The Symbolic Nature of Speech

B. Visible Symbols

C. Audible Symbols

1. Prelingual Vocal Symbols

2. Spoken Language

IV. SPEAKER AND REACTOR

A. Social Aspect of Normal Speech Situation

B. Speaker's Purpose Always Objective-t

V. SPEECH A GENERIC TERM - aill

VI. GOOD SPEECH

A. Importance Cu

B. The Criteria of Good Speech

1. Purposiveness det i dry thin, das
2. Visibility and Audibility.

3. Attention Values

дене
¢S ¢『Ia,4་ན

I. SPEECH AS A MEANS OF SOCIAL ADAPTATION AND CONTROL

The first question which we must consider is "What is
speech?" We experience speech so constantly that we accept
it as a matter of course and seldom bother to inquire into its
essential nature. The common conception of speech is that.

it is simply an instinct, and as such requires no explanation or definition.

In this text it is our intention to examine this common, every-day activity which we call speech - to probe into its essence, and so far as possible to explain what it really is. Speech is of course an agency for expression, and it is a means of communication, but neither of these terms accurately suggests its primary purpose. The fundamental purpose of speech is social adaptation and control through expression and communication. Its essential function is the adjustment of the individual to that most fluid and unpredictable portion of his environment, viz., other persons. This adjustment is effected principally through influencing other people, and being influenced by them. Speech, then, is essentially a social phenomenon, which owes its origin to the social group. It develops as the individual learns to live comfortably and efficiently among his fellows.

Our objection to definitions of speech merely in terms of expression is that these definitions ignore or minimize its social aspects; properly, speech is not mere self-expression, but is primarily concerned with effects upon persons other than the speaker. The use of the term communication, alone and unqualified, results in two rather common misapprehensions concerning the nature and function of speech: (1) that the sole and invariable purpose of the speaker is to put his own ideas into the minds of those to whom he speaks, and (2) that speech is a strange, occult process by which meanings, developed in one mind, may actually and literally be transferred to other minds. We believe, therefore, that this whole matter needs the sort of fundamental treatment which we are undertaking in this chapter.

II. SPEECH AND MENTAL PROCESSES

Speech is not only the means by which the individual adjusts himself to his social environment in a direct, face-to-face