We speak when we are awake, and we speak in our dreams. We are always speaking, even when we do not utter a single word aloud but merely listen or read, and even when we are not particularly listening or speaking, we are continually speaking in one way or another. We speak because speaking is natural to us.

What is speech ? Speech is the audible expression and communication of human feelings. Thus, feelings are accompanied by thoughts. Hence, it cannot surprise us that as soon as a man looks thoughtfully at himself or his surroundings, he quickly hits upon the language. So, when language is spoken, it is an expression, a human activity.

An abiding activity of humans in all societies is to distinguish themselves from lower animals. All societies have creative myths that tell how the world and the people and animals in it came into being. These myths identify traits unique to humans, distinguishing features that separate humans from animals. Understandably, language is frequently included among these traits.