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Use of the Tongue to Speak

The tongue is an phenomenal group of muscles that provides many functions in your body. The tongue's primary purpose in most creatures is to aid in ingesting food and water. Mammals use the tongue to move food around in the mouth for mastication (chewing). It is also the main tool we use for deglutition (swallowing). The same muscles used for chewing and swallowing provide speech. Unfortunately, the extraordinary muscles that give you the gift of communication also prove problematic for other reasons.

  1. The Word

    • The word "tongue" has become synonymous with words for language because of its importance in our communication. You "bite your tongue" rather than saying something you should not, and you have had a "slip of the tongue" if you forgot to bite it. "Mother tongue" and "native tongue" are terms for the original language of a culture. "Tongue in cheek" is a form of comedy where the speaker says something ironic or funny.

    Muscles

    • There are four muscles that move the tongue in the ways necessary to articulate speech. A muscle called the mylohyoid, which makes up the bottom of the mouth, lifts the tongue. The styloglossus muscle extends from ear level and allows you to pull the tongue upwards and backwards. The flat, wide hyoglossus on the back of each side of the tongue moves it in the down and back directions. The genioglossus muscle provides the forward movement of the tongue from its attached position between the chin and bottom teeth.

    Sleep Apnea

    • There is only one condition that belongs to both humans and the English bulldog alone. It is called sleep apnea. No other animals on earth have problems with obstructed airways during sleep. The English bulldog has low jowls and a flat face because of breeding, which has also caused sleep apnea in the breed. The positioning of the tools humans use for speech generation creates a propensity to restrict our airway during sleep. The specific tongue and vocal chords of humans have allowed us to produce an unparalleled repertoire of sound, but we have paid the price with sleep apnea.

    Elocution

    • Using the tongue muscles correctly is the key to captivating audiences and excelling as a communicator. Using the tools of elocution lessons, you can become much more aware of the muscles in the tongue that form articulation and speech. Elocution is an essential part of speaking that has become lost in modern times where communication has become instant and easy. However, elocution can be beneficial to business communication, public speaking and in several facets of daily life. Many elocution experts recommend focusing on breathing while speaking. Also, warming up the tongue by reading and doing tongue twisters can assist elocution. Proper elocution can help with speech impediments and stage fright. Lastly, elocution lessons can assist in conquering a regional or foreign accent.

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