speech-language
|speech-language|
/ˈspiːtʃˌlæŋɡwɪdʒ/
speech + language (combined, clinical/educational modifier)
Etymology
'speech-language' originates from English, specifically the words 'speech' and 'language'. 'speech' originates from Old English 'spǣc', where 'spǣc' meant 'speech' or 'talk', and 'language' originates from Old French 'language', from Latin 'lingua', where 'lingua' meant 'tongue'.
'speech' changed from Old English 'spǣc' to Middle English 'speche' and eventually became modern English 'speech'. 'language' changed from Latin 'lingua' to Old French 'language' and then to Middle English 'language'; the two words were later combined in modern English as the compound 'speech-language' to denote the combined domain.
Initially the component words referred separately to 'speech' and to 'tongue' or 'language'; over time the compound came to be used specifically to denote matters concerning both speech and language together, especially in clinical or educational contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a shortened compound referring to the field or services concerning speech and language (e.g., speech-language services or speech-language pathology).
The university offers courses in speech-language as part of its communication sciences program.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to both speech and language; used as a modifier in clinical, educational, or research contexts (e.g., speech-language therapy, speech-language pathologist).
She works as a speech-language pathologist at the hospital.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/04 08:02