The study of oral and written human communication is covered by speech and language theory. It looks at the complex mechanisms that underlie language creation, comprehension, and acquisition. The theory explores how language structure and meaning are governed by phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. It also examines the memory, perception, and attention processes that play a role in language processing. Since cultural norms and situational context shape language, sociocultural factors and contextual influences are essential elements.

Understanding linguistic diversity, developmental milestones, and communication disorders are all made easier by speech and language theory. This theory advances the understanding of how people formulate, convey, and interpret messages by examining linguistic components, cognitive processes, and social dimensions. It thus promotes effective communication and advances a variety of fields, including linguistics, psychology, education, and speech theory.