Meaning: The quote "From a strictly articulatory point of view there is no succession of sounds" by Roman Jakobson, a prominent linguist and semiotician, encapsulates a fundamental concept in the study of phonetics and phonology. Roman Jakobson was a Russian-American linguist who made significant contributions to the fields of structural linguistics, phonology, and communication theory. This quote reflects his deep understanding of the intricate relationship between speech production and the perception of sounds.

From a strictly articulatory point of view, Jakobson is referring to the physical process of producing speech sounds. When we speak, our articulatory organs, such as the tongue, lips, and vocal cords, move in coordinated ways to create the sounds of speech. However, despite the apparent sequence of sounds in spoken language, Jakobson's statement challenges the notion of a linear succession of sounds from a purely physiological perspective.

In phonetics, the study of speech sounds, the articulatory approach focuses on the precise movements and configurations of the speech organs involved in producing different sounds. From this perspective, the quote suggests that the production of speech sounds is not necessarily a discrete, sequential process. Rather, it implies that the articulatory gestures involved in speech production are continuous and dynamic, with no clear demarcation between individual sounds.

This concept aligns with the broader framework of structural linguistics, which emphasizes the internal structure of language and the underlying principles that govern its organization. Jakobson's perspective challenges the traditional view of speech as a linear sequence of discrete sounds and invites a deeper consideration of the fluid and interconnected nature of articulatory movements in producing speech.

Furthermore, Jakobson's statement can be interpreted in the context of phonological theory, which explores the abstract mental representations of speech sounds and the rules governing their organization within a given language. From a phonological standpoint, the quote underscores the idea that the perception and categorization of speech sounds are not solely determined by their sequential occurrence, but also by the complex interplay of distinctive features and articulatory gestures that define phonemic contrasts.

In essence, Jakobson's quote prompts us to reconsider the nature of speech production and the perception of sounds from a holistic and dynamic perspective. By highlighting the continuous and coordinated nature of articulatory movements, it challenges us to transcend the apparent linearity of spoken language and delve into the intricate patterns and interactions that underpin the richness of phonetic and phonological phenomena.

In conclusion, Roman Jakobson's quote "From a strictly articulatory point of view there is no succession of sounds" offers a thought-provoking insight into the complexity of speech production and the perception of sounds. By reframing our understanding of articulatory processes and their relationship to the structure of spoken language, this quote invites us to explore the dynamic and interconnected nature of speech sounds from a multidimensional perspective, enriching our appreciation of the intricate mechanisms that govern human communication.