just wondering why we say speak and actually make a speech etc
2007-12-31 12:36:32 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The etymology of the two words are related. They are both of Old English origin, which was a very complex tongue with a multiplicity of forms for most words. The word "speak" was originally "sprecan", which "speech" is a variant form, originally "sprækijo"
2007-12-31 12:50:12 · answer #1 · answered by Expat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Sue; but speaker is also a noun. Why not speecher? The answer lies in the area of etymology. The good Professor has given us his/her wisdom and, with all due respect, I must say that I am relieved to be neither a linguist nor a student of English as a second language. I can do without the headaches.
2007-12-31 13:12:08 · answer #2 · answered by picador 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to speak is a verb, a speech is a noun.
2007-12-31 12:58:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋