Speaking while an animal

[Quishadi]

First off, this is not a question about Druid and Wildshape.

Can a PC use the Gold Nodule Ioun Stone [This stone grants you the ability to comprehend, speak, read, and write a single language (chosen by the ioun stone's creator).] to speak while polymorphed into an animal using beast shape?

[Bobson]

I would say no. The stone gives you the ability to speak a language, but it doesn't give you the ability to speak. If you're polymorphed into a creature that can make speech-type sounds (like a parrot), you can benefit from it. But if you can't make the right type of sounds, it's not helpful to know how to make them.

[Quishadi]

This is magic, and so I don't understand the distinction. The item has a constant effect. It's not triggered, so it should remain while polymorphed. (BTW - it's going to be in a worn wayfinder.) And how is the wording for this item's effect any different from the wording in spells like Speak with Animals, Speak with Plants, Stone Tell, Tongues or Awaken. With magic, it appears that only intelligence is needed in order to speak, not the specific ability to form sounds. I think Awaken in particular speaks to this. Is there an official ruling you can point me to?

[Bobson]

I guess the question is - would you let this ioun stone allow someone whose tongue has been cut out to speak? Someone under a silence spell? Someone simply gagged?

Effectively, the knowledge of how to speak a language is different from the physical capability to produce the correct sounds to form speech.

Also, while awaken does grant the target the ability to speak, many magical beasts, such as griffons are intelligent but have a Language block of "Languages Common (cannot speak)"

[dragonhunterq]

Bobson wrote:

I guess the question is - would you let this ioun stone allow someone whose tongue has been cut out to speak? Someone under a silence spell? Someone simply gagged?

Effectively, the knowledge of how to speak a language is different from the physical capability to produce the correct sounds to form speech.

Also, while awaken does grant the target the ability to speak, many magical beasts, such as griffons are intelligent but have a Language block of "Languages Common (cannot speak)"

Also awaken is a transmute effect as opposed to divination, so shouldn't be too much of a stretch to assume it can grant the physical ability to speak where tongues can't.