Speech Error

Definition

Speech Error is the disruption in the production of speech through a conscious or unconscious linguistic deviation from the apparently intended form of an utterance. Linguistic speech error analysis is based on the hypothesis that the phenomena of deviation observable in different components are limited by the structure of the language and can be described and explained on the basis of grammatical units and regularities and that speech errors cause one to posit inferences to basic mental abilities and representations. (Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics).General Classification of Speech Error

Broadly speaking, there are two major point of speech error classification. The first is called as Articulation disorder. It is deviation or confusion of the main articulator such as the lips, teeth, alveolar ridge, hard palate, velum, glottis, and the tongue
The second is Phonological Disorder. It is the condition when people could not be able to identify the differences between particular phonemes, for example between /k/ and /t/ in the word “call” and “tall”. However, different pronunciation will lead to different meaning.

Causes of Speech Error
Since it happens either consciously or unconsciously, the condition of the speaker however influences the speech error production. It commonly occurs when speaker is nervous, tired, anxiety, or intoxicated. When people are nervous or anxiety, the metabolism in their body declines which causes the signal inside the body transfers impulse to the brain.

In addition, it derives the adrenalin hormone to do harder which finally engages the heart. This condition consequently influences the irregularity of people. Because of this biological condition, people are stuttering when they are nervous or anxiety.

There is also a physical aspect that causes speech error. For instance, genetic syndrome like Down Syndrome, Speech Development like Autism, Hearing Loss, Illness, Neurological Disorder. Some people with speech problems, particularly articulation disorders, may have hearing problems. Even mild hearing loss may have an impact on how a person reproduces the sounds they hear. Certain birth defects, such as a cleft palate, can interfere with someone's ability to produce speech.

When a person has a cleft palate there is a hole in the roof of the mouth, which affects the movement of air through the oral and nasal passages. There also may be problems with other structures needed for speech, including the lips, teeth, and jaw.

Genetics may also play a role in some speech problems. For example, stuttering seems to run in some families. But in some cases, no one knows exactly what causes a person to have speech problems.