Speech Processes

The ability to recognize and respond to auditory and speech stimuli are among the earliest abilities developed in a fetus. Research from Ghio et al. (2021) suggests that the anatomo-functional or anatomic-functional development of the auditory network is complete in fetuses. fetuses respond easily to auditory and speech stimuli. This is the reason why unborn babies usually “kick” their mothers’ bellies when people put their faces near the mother’s belly and have a “conversation” with them. Also, it is a popular myth in the scientific community that the frequency of the babies’ “kicking” is a predictor of their speaking and hearing capabilities. Although, there are still no studies that can viably support the claim.

This might leave people wondering, how exactly is speech produced? The simple answer to that is through the speech processes.

Speech processes refer to the processes or manner by which people produce speech for communication. Examples of speech processes include respiration, phonation, resonation, and articulation (Ghio et al., 2021).

Respiration

Respiration, also known as breathing, is the exhaling of carbon and inhaling of oxygen from the outside environment into the cells. Respiration serves as a sort of “energy source” for it provides power for speech. Through the vibration of vocal folds, the breath is converted into energy. The manner of respiration impacts pitch, loudness, and timing of the speech.

Phonation

Phonation provides sound source for voicing. The respiratory system is the power generator via the breath airflow rising from the lungs going up towards the larynx of the phonatory system.

Resonation and Articulation

These two modify the sound produced at the level of the larynx into speech sounds. Resonance is significantly affected when a person has colds because of the congestion or the restriction in the cavities that hinder the air to pass through. Articulation, on the other hand, is significantly affected when a person loses his/her front teeth because the person cannot properly produce the fricative /s/ because of the missing incisor.