Abstract: A memory array, having a plurality of intersecting rows and columns, stores digitized speech. Each row and column intersection consists of a binary storage cell for storing one bit of digitized speech. Incoming digitized speech is loaded into columns of the memory array in a plurality of repetitive loading sequences, each loading sequence including: reading out the bits stored in successive rows of binary storage cells, replacing in each successive row of bits, a predetermined one of the bits in the read out row with a successive one of the bits of the digitized speech and writing each read out row of bits including the replaced bit back into the row. Multibit binary grunts (digitized speech segments) stored in the array are read out therefrom by applying the bits of the grunts to time slots in frames on a time-division highway, each frame being of n bits duration and including one bit from each of n grunts stored in the array.