"From a strictly articulatory point of view there is no succession of sounds"
- Roman Jakobson
About this Quote
Roman Jakobson's quote is referring to the method which speech is produced. From an articulatory viewpoint, speech is not a succession of sounds, but rather a continuous circulation of sound. This indicates that when we speak, we do not produce specific sounds one after the other, but rather a constant stream of sound. This is since the articulators (the tongue, lips, and other parts of the mouth) are constantly in motion, producing a constant circulation of noise. This is why it is hard to distinguish private sounds in a continuous stream of speech.
Jakobson's quote is likewise highlighting the significance of comprehending the articulatory aspects of speech production. By comprehending how speech is produced, we can better understand how to produce and analyze speech. This is important for linguists, as it helps them to much better comprehend the structure of language and how it is utilized. It also assists us to better understand how various languages are produced and how they differ from one another.
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