"Speech and Phenomena" is a philosophical work by Jacques Derrida that explores the relationship between language and meaning. It critiques the traditional view of language as a transparent medium for conveying thoughts, arguing instead that meaning is always deferred and context-dependent. In this text, Derrida introduces the concept of deconstruction, which examines how texts can have multiple interpretations. He emphasizes that spoken language is often privileged over written language, yet both forms are subject to the same complexities and ambiguities in meaning.