Speech vs. Language: Understanding the Difference

When people hear the terms speech and language, they often think they mean the same thing. But in speech therapy, these words have different meanings. Understanding the difference between speech and language is key to recognizing communication challenges and supporting individuals who may need speech-language therapy.

What Is Speech?

Speech is the physical act of producing sounds to form words. It involves:

• Articulation – How we move our tongue, lips, and mouth to create clear sounds (e.g., pronouncing "r" or "s" correctly).‍
• Phonology – How sounds are organized and used in a language‍
• Motor Speech – The brain’s ability to plan, coordinate, and execute movements needed for speech.

Speech challenges might include:

• Unable to get accurate tongue positioning for certain sounds (e.g. frontal lisp, "thoap" for "soap")
• Consistent and predictable speech sound error patterns (e.g. "wed" for "red")
• Struggling to coordinate mouth movements, especially for longer words or phrases

What Is Language?

Language is how we use words and symbols to communicate meaning. It includes:

• ‍Receptive Language – Understanding what others say‍
• Expressive Language – Using words, sentences, and gestures to communicate wants/needs and thoughts/feelings‍
• Pragmatic Language – Knowing how to use language in different social situations (e.g., taking turns in conversation).

Language disorders may include:

• Difficulty following directions, answering questions, or understanding spoken words
• Struggling to put thoughts into words, form correct sentences, or tell stories
• ‍Challenges with social communication, like knowing when to speak or how to stay on topic

Why Does the Difference Matter?

‍A child with a speech sound disorder may have difficulty pronouncing words clearly but can still form sentences correctly. A child with a language disorder may pronounce words clearly but struggle to use them meaningfully. Speech therapists tailor their approach depending on whether a person has a speech disorder, a language disorder, or both.

‍When to Seek Help

‍If you notice that your child (or someone you know) has trouble speaking clearly, understanding language, or expressing thoughts, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) can help assess and provide strategies for improvement. Early intervention is key!