A: The natural breathing function and the speaking action have totally different mechanisms and purposes. Here are a few main differences.
1. Breathing is the most natural innate (in-born) function of our body. Just like our heart constantly pumps blood in and out and never requires training to perform this automatic function, so is our lung function as a pump that automatically takes in Oxygen and releases Carbon Dioxide, waste gas. We breath constantly, whether we are aware of it or not (e.g., when we sleep), whether we want to breath or not. For example, we cannot hold our breath for too long under the water, even if we want to.
Speaking, however, is a voluntary action that requires our self-training. We learn to speak over the course of our entire life. We begin feeling our memory with the first simple words in early childhood and continue growing our speech skills (increase vocabulary, learn new languages, etc.) for as long as we live.
2. We use our vocal cords in breathing totally differently than in speaking. When we breathe, our vocal cords are widely open to enable un-abstracted air passage in and out of the lungs. Our vocal cords are not involved in the process of natural breathing exhalation. We breathe out silently. But when we speak, our vocal cords are tightly shut.
They create an obstacle for the CO2 stream on its way out of the lungs. As the waste gas rushes out, it pushes vocal cords to open. They then vibrate generating our voice. The stream of CO2 comes out vocal.
3. When we breathe, we automatically inhale oxygen and it immediately gets delivered with the blood flow to the brain and other body organs to activate certain biological processes. Carbon Dioxide is just one of the waste products of these processes.
Oxygen is not for speaking. When we speak, we use only carbon dioxide. Our body constantly produces this waste gas, accumulates it in our lunges and then, rids itself of it through exhalation or speaking.
Normal speakers never focus on breathing because they are fully concentrating on accurately following the Natural Speech Norms. They keep 100% of their attention on their speaking actions. Those who focus on breathing, distract their attention from speaking and block their speech. When an individual switches their attention from breathing to speaking, they” suddenly” say a word correctly.