A cardinal property of many nonlinear, dynamic systems is the emergence of self-organized order or form. Such emergence is optimizing, context dependent, and generative. General principles govern emergence regardless of the physical, physiological, or psychological systems involved. Speech perception and production may involve complementary nonlinear systems that exploit emergence in the service of communication. The nature of the evidence necessary to support this suggestion will be discussed in the context of the insights provided by the other symposium participants.