People often confuse “language” and “speech”, and that’s perfectly normal: in everyday life, we use them as synonyms. In speech-language pathology, however, they are two distinct things. In one sentence: language is about meaning, that is, understanding and conveying ideas, while speech is about the physical production of sounds.
Here’s how to tell them apart, with concrete examples.
Language or Speech: What’s the Distinction?
Language is the system that allows us to understand and express ideas: vocabulary, grammar, sentence construction, comprehension. It exists in both spoken and written form.
Speech, for its part, is the physical act of producing sounds: moving the lips, tongue, and vocal cords to articulate words clearly.
A simple image: language is the message; speech is its pronunciation. You can have a clear message in mind but have difficulty pronouncing it, or pronounce perfectly while struggling to organize your ideas.
Language Disorders: Understanding and Producing Meaning
A language disorder affects comprehension, expression, or both. The person may have difficulty finding their words, building correct sentences, following instructions, or understanding what is said to them. The content of the message is affected, not the way it’s pronounced.
Examples of Language Disorders
Several disorders fall under language, in both spoken and written form:
- Developmental language disorder (DLD), formerly called dysphasia. The OOAQ describes it as a neurological disorder present from birth and persistent, affecting about 7.5% of the population. It can affect expression, comprehension, or both.
- Language-based learning disorder, which includes dyslexia, affecting the learning of reading, and dysorthographia, affecting spelling and writing.
This learning disorder concerns written language: language is not limited to speech, it also includes writing.
Speech Disorders: Producing Sounds
A speech disorder affects the physical production of sounds, not the meaning of the message. The person knows what they want to say, but articulation, pronunciation, fluency, or voice is affected.
Examples of Speech Disorders
Speech sound disorder groups together several diagnoses affecting the production of speech sounds. For example, a child will say « zou » instead of « joue », with a consistent error on the sound. It notably includes:
- Articulation disorders, such as a frontal lisp (speaking with the tongue against the teeth) or a lateral lisp.
- Phonological disorder, which affects the ability to mentally organize and manipulate sounds.
- Dysarthria, which affects control of the speech muscles.
- Childhood apraxia of speech, which affects the coordination of the movements needed for speech.
- Resonance disorder, which produces a nasal-sounding voice or, conversely, a voice that sounds like the nose is blocked.
Other speech disorders exist beyond the production of sounds:
- Stuttering and cluttering, which affect the fluency of speech. The AQOA classifies them among speech disorders.
- Voice disorders: dysphonia (difficulty producing sounds with the vocal cords) and aphonia (the vocal cords can no longer vibrate, no sound comes out).
Language and Speech: Comparison Table
| Language disorder | Speech disorder | |
| What is affected | Meaning: understanding and expressing | The physical production of sounds |
| Components | Vocabulary, grammar, sentences, comprehension | Articulation, pronunciation, fluency, voice |
| Spoken and written | Yes (includes reading and writing) | Mostly spoken |
| Examples | DLD, dyslexia, dysorthographia | Speech sound disorder, childhood apraxia of speech, dysarthria, stuttering |
| Concrete example | A child has difficulty building sentences or understanding an instruction | A child says « zou » instead of « joue » |
Can You Have Both at the Same Time?
Yes. Language disorders and speech disorders are not mutually exclusive, and it’s common for a child to present both at once. Some difficulties even sit at the boundary: dyslexia, for example, often has an origin linked to speech sounds. That’s why only a complete assessment can build an accurate picture, rather than guessing from a single clue.
When to Consult a Speech-Language Pathologist
The speech-language pathologist is the professional who assesses both language and speech, and who establishes a speech-language pathology conclusion. Whether the difficulty concerns comprehension, expression, articulation, or stuttering, it’s the right door to knock on. If you’re hesitating, our guide on when to see a speech-language pathologist covers the signs to watch for, and our page on the populations we help explains who our services are for.
Get Language or Speech Assessed
Concerned about a loved one’s language or speech? An assessment brings clarity. In person or with an online speech therapist, anywhere in Quebec.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dyslexia a language disorder?
Dyslexia falls under written language: it is part of the language-based learning disorder and affects the learning of reading. It differs from a speech disorder, which concerns the production of sounds when speaking.
Is stuttering a language disorder or a speech disorder?
Stuttering falls under speech, because it affects fluency, that is, the rate and rhythm of speech. A person who stutters knows what they want to say and builds their sentences correctly. That said, stuttering often comes with word retrieval difficulties (finding the right word at the right time), which fall under language. It’s also worth knowing that neuroinclusive approaches consider stuttering a difference in speech, not a disorder.
Does a speech-language pathologist treat both?
Yes. The speech-language pathologist assesses and supports both language disorders and speech disorders, in children and adults alike. Our speech therapy modalities adapt to each profile.
How do I know which one my child has?
Only a speech-language assessment can determine this with certainty, because the signs can look alike and sometimes overlap. The speech-language pathologist observes both language and speech, then establishes a conclusion and tailored recommendations.