Psychogenesis of Language, Part 3

The Spark of Life: Tomatis on Conception’s Role in Language

What role does conception play in the genesis of language? Alfred Tomatis delves into the moment of fertilization, exploring how the early dynamics of fetal life set the stage for verbal expression. In this series, we uncover the psychogenesis of language, from the womb’s first vibrations to the emergence of speech. Join us as we trace language’s origins, one spark at a time.

The Moment of Conception

Alfred Tomatis begins this chapter with a pivotal moment: “The egg is fertilized… and the adventure begins.” He poses a profound question: Is the same inductive force that drives human evolution present from the moment of conception? While nothing disproves this hypothesis, Tomatis acknowledges the apparent dichotomy between the predetermined cellular program of the fetus and the elusive psychism that grows alongside it. The nervous system, tasked with centralizing and memorizing lived experiences, plays a key role, storing this latent knowledge for later verbalization.

This memorized experience, still in a state of pre-verbal latency, is what Tomatis seeks to explore through his experiments with intrauterine filtered sounds. By examining these early fixations from psychoanalytic and psychosomatic perspectives, he aims to uncover their psycholinguistic implications, offering a new lens on how the earliest moments of life influence language development.

The Conditions of Creation

The fertilized egg embarks on its journey within the uterine universe, a path of increasing complexity regardless of the circumstances surrounding its conception. Tomatis raises a critical question: Was this new being desired by both parents, accepted by one, or rejected by both? The spectrum of possibilities—from an act of love to an accidental encounter—marks the starting point of the fetus’ development. While the egg’s biological progression remains inevitable, Tomatis believes the emotional context of conception leaves a lasting imprint on the mother, shaping the dialogue between her and the fetus.

This maternal envelope, influenced by the vibrations and emotions of pregnancy, becomes the medium through which the fetus experiences the world. Whether the mother carries the child with animal instinct or human tenderness, her state profoundly affects the developing being, setting the tone for the intrauterine communication that will influence its linguistic future.

The Mother’s Dominance in Gestation

Tomatis highlights the striking disproportion between the egg and the sperm, noting that while the father’s contribution initiates the process, the mother provides the entirety of the gestational sustenance for nine months. The father’s role, though crucial as a “revealing” and “dynamizing” force, pales in comparison to the mother’s all-encompassing contribution. Tomatis playfully suggests that this dynamic borders on parthenogenesis, emphasizing the mother’s singular role in nourishing and building the new human.

The father, however, is not diminished in Tomatis’ view. He plays a vital supportive role, acting as the “servant” and “nourisher” of the mother-child dyad, providing material and emotional security. Through his loving companionship, the father fosters a dialogue that allows the mother to fully embody her role, her serene verbalizations creating the first connections with the fetus. This intimate communication, supported by the father’s presence, becomes the foundation for the child’s linguistic development.

The Fetus’ First Impressions

As the fertilized egg grows, its cells multiply exponentially, organizing into specialized groups that follow a pre-established program. Tomatis describes this as a “language embryonnaire,” a biological communion that underpins true communication. The ectoderm, which will form both the skin and the nervous system, begins to establish sensory connections, positioning the human as an “ectoderm sensible” in constant dialogue with the environment. These early impressions—liquid, parietal, and sonic—form the fetus’ first knowledge, a primal experience that shapes its emerging psyche.

The intrauterine soundscape, rich with visceral noises, becomes a symphony of life for the fetus. From the rhythmic beating of the mother’s heart to the gurgling of her digestive system, these sounds create a vivid auditory environment. Tomatis imagines the fetus experiencing this as a “cave” filled with unexplained, living noises—perhaps a source of wonder or fear, laying the groundwork for later phantasms of storms and tempests. Yet, the steady heartbeat and soothing rhythm of the mother’s breathing provide a comforting counterpoint, marking the emotional ebbs and flows of the external world.

A Foundation for Language

Tomatis’ exploration of conception and early fetal life reveals the profound interplay between biology and psychism in the genesis of language. For those eager to dive deeper, his book De la communication intra-utérine au langage humain offers a wealth of insight (available here).

Categories: : Alfred Tomatis, Books, Personal Contribution