The Burden of the Word: Examining the Limits of Speech in Science and Fiction
Introduction The question of whether our organs of speech are truly meant for language has intrigued linguists, philosophers, and artists alike. Anatomical and evolutionary studies reveal that the parts of our vocal apparatus—the lungs, vocal cords, tongue, teeth, and lips—serve primary functions that have little to do with language. The lungs are built for breathing, the vocal cords for protecting the airway, the teeth for chewing, and the tongue for manipulating food. Speech, it seems, is a clever secondary use of these organs rather than their original purpose. This understanding has sparked debate among linguists. Some argue that speech is a natural evolutionary adaptation, suggesting that our vocal apparatus has been shaped, at least in part, by the demands of communication. Noam Chomsky notes that while humans could have adopted other systems like sign language, we have overwhelmingly chosen speech as our primary mode of communication. However, others, notably Ferdinand d...