This is a word of Greek origin. The prefix [a-) means "absence of", or "without". The root term [-phon-] means "sound" or "voice". Aphonia is a pathological absence of voice, and was used by both Hippocrates and Galen. Do not confuse [aphonia] with [dysphonia], where the prefix [dys-] means "abnormal". In aphonia there is total absence of voice, whereas in dysphonia there is an abnormal voice or "hoarseness" As a side note, the word [phonograph] arises from the combination of the root terms [-phon-] and [-graph-], which means "to write". The word [phonograph] does not relate to the playing of a record, but rather to the process of creating one, transforming sound into a wavy line etched on a rotating wax model that is later cast into records. The modern production of sound CD's is similar, where the sound waves are act upon a laser that "burns" the track into a master CD. It is a similar process, but I guess calling creating a CD a type of "phonography" is too old fashion for modern marketing! |
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