Definition:
(1) Communication through spoken words. The study of speech sounds is the branch of linguistics known as phonetics. The study of sound changes in a language is phonology.
(2) A formal address delivered to an audience--oratory. See also:
Etymology:
From the Old English, "to speak"Examples and Observations:
- "Once we decide to begin an analysis of speech, we can approach it on various levels. At one level, speech is a matter of anatomy and physiology: we can study organs such as tongue and larynx in the production of speech. Taking another perspective, we can focus on the speech sounds produced by these organs--the units that we commonly try to identify by letters, such as a 'b-sound' or an 'm-sound.' But speech is also transmitted as sound waves, which means that we can also investigate the properties of the sound waves themselves. Taking yet another approach, the term 'sounds' is a reminder that speech is intended to be heard or perceived and that it is therefore possible to focus on the way in which a listener analyzes or processes a sound wave."
(J. E. Clark and C. Yallop, An Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology. Wiley-Blackwell, 1995) - "If I could just say a few words . . . I'd be a better public speaker."
(Homer Simpson beginning a speech, The Simpsons) - "There are three major parts to every speech: introduction, body, and conclusion. . . .
The introduction serves to introduce the topic and the speaker and to alert audience members to your specific purpose. . . .
Just like the body of a written essay, the speech body contains the speech's main points and subpoints, all of which support the speech's thesis. . . .
The conclusion restates the speech purpose and reiterates how the main points confirm it."
(Dan O'Hair, et al., Speaker's Guidebook. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2007)
Pronunciation: SPEECH
