The brain and the voice in speech and song / by F.W. Mott.

  • Mott, F. W. (Frederick Walker), 1853-1926.
Date:
1910
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The brain and the voice in speech and song / by F.W. Mott. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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    the form of the resonator by means of movement of the lips, tongue, and jaw in the production of articulate speech. The simple musical instrument in the production of phonation is bilaterally represented in the brain, but as a speaking instrument it is unilaterally represented in right-handed individuals in the left hemisphere and in left-handed individuals in the right hemi- sphere. The reason for this we shall consider later; but the fact supports Darwin's hypothesis. Another hypothesis which was brought forward by Grieger and supported by some authors is summarised by Ribot as follows : Words are an imitation of the movements of the mouth. The predominant sense in man is that of sight; man is pre-eminently visual. Prior to the acquisition of speech he communicated with his fellows by the aid of gestures and movement of the mouth and face; he appealed to their eyes. Their facial ' grimaces,' fulfilled and elucidated by gesture, became signs for others ; they fixed their attention upon them. When articulate sounds came into being, these lent themselves to a more or less con- ventional language by reason of their acquired importance. For support of this hypothesis the case of non-educated deaf-