Linguists explain that the organs
of speech necessary to express
language in sounds, which constitute
the fundamental elements of speech,
are just as independent of language as
a telegraph apparatus is of the Morse
code it transmits. Linguists also
compare language (the verbal system
of communication that is almost
always written) with a symphony
whose score exists independently of
the musicians who play it.
The vocal cords behave like
instruments. They are folds of muscle
that open and close to produce sounds.
When they are not producing vocal
sounds, normal breathing occurs.
Under the control of the brain, the
vocal cords produce sounds that are
modified by the lips and the tongue to
create speech.