The term “speech” comes from the Old English word “spǣc” or “sprǣc,” which means “act of speaking, discourse, conversation.” This term is derived from the Proto-Germanic “*sprēk-“, which has the same meaning.
1. Proto-Indo-European (PIE)
The PIE root “spreg-” or “sprek-” means “to speak” or “to utter.”
2. Proto-Germanic
From the PIE root, the Proto-Germanic word “*sprēk-” developed, meaning “to speak” or “speech.”
3. Old English (c. 5th to 11th century CE)
The term evolved into Old English as “spǣc” or “sprǣc,” referring to the act of speaking, discourse, or conversation.
4. Middle English (c. 11th to 15th century CE)
In Middle English, the term became “speche” or “spech,” continuing to mean “speech” or “discourse.”
5. Modern English (from 15th century CE to present)
The term “speech” evolved into its current form and pronunciation, referring to the act of speaking, a spoken discourse, or the ability to express thoughts and feelings through spoken language.
The word “speech” reflects the human ability to articulate thoughts, emotions, and ideas through vocal sounds, playing a crucial role in communication, social interaction, and cultural expression.