What Is Language:Experts Views You Must Know

What Is Language,this is very basic question for any linguistic student. It is hard to define what language actually is but we can understand by many examples. Modern linguists Noam Chomsky argue that language is an innate ability, a particular feature inherent in human nature. The language is a series of sounds produced by the vocal organs of man consciously”

What Is Language:Experts Views You Must Know

Human beings can communicate with each other. We are able to exchange knowledge, beliefs, opinions, wishes, threats, commands, thanks, promises, declarations, and feelings  only our imagination sets limits. We can laugh to express amusement, happiness, or disrespect, we can smile to express amusement, pleasure, approval, or bitter feelings, we can shriek to express anger, excitement, or fear, we can clench our fists to express determination, anger or a threat, we can raise our eyebrows to express surprise or disapproval, and so on, but our system of communication before anything else is language.

How we define language although those who study language may disagree over a precise definition because they dispute some concepts, such as whether or not language must have a written and/or oral component, they agree that language is a rule-based system of signs. Saying that language is rule-based usually makes people think of other kinds of situations where rules are enforced by a particular authority. For example, think about classroom behavior. Students are expected to sit still, be quiet, pay attention, and so on; typically, there are consequences if they don’t follow these rules.

Here are some definitions of language from experts:

Plato.

Language is a statement of one’s thoughts through onomata (names of objects) and rhemata (speech) which is a reflection of one’s ideas in the flow of air through the mouth.

Ferdinand de Saussure.

Language is the most prominent distinguishing feature because with language each social group feels itself as a distinct entity from other groups.

Bill Adams.

The definition of language is a system of individual psychological development in an inter-subjective context.

There are 3 factors that show the role of language in cultural development.

First, language as an element of culture. Every activity in human life has an element of language in it. So, to understand the development of a culture, it is necessary to first examine the development of language in society.

Second, language as a marker of social stratification. Language can show patterns of relationships and social stratification in a society. For example, in Javanese culture, children talk to their parents using Javanese krama (soft language). Meanwhile, when talking to the same age, Javanese people use ngoko (rough language).

Third, language as a symbol of ethnic culture. Language can show cultural symbols in an ethnic group. This is evident from the existence of various dialects or dialects from various ethnic groups. This is due to geographical differences and the stratification of the social environment between ethnic groups in people’s lives.

General Language Functions.

In general, in people’s lives, language has a main function as a means of communication. However, language can also have a number of other functions. The following are the various functions of language in general in people’s lives:

  1. Language as a means of self-expression.

Since childhood, humans use language as a means of expressing and expressing themselves to their parents. In the early stages of development, children’s language develops as a tool for self-expression.

  1. Language as a means of communication.

As a means of communication, language is used to convey certain meanings so that others can understand them. The difference in the function of language as a means of self-expression and means of communication lies in its purpose. The first is simply to express yourself to be known by others. As for when communicating, the use of language is adjusted to the person being spoken to, with the aim that the intent of the language is easily conveyed.

  1. Language as a tool of social integration and adaptation.

When adapting in a new social environment, everyone will choose the language used depending on the situation and conditions faced. This is so that he can easily adapt and integrate with the social environment.

  1. Language as a tool of social control.

As a tool of social control, language can be very effective. Social control by using language can be applied to individuals or communities.

Universal Facts You Must Know About What is Language

Language rules, however, are not enforced by any authority figure; language police do not exist. Instead, language rules are conventions. This means that they come into existence through common practice by users of the language rather than through the imposition of an authority figure. As a result, members who use the language conventions of their particular community may not even be conscious of following them.

We talk about language as a system of rules or conventions because a single language convention, for example, a single word, a pause, or an alphabet letter, does not tell us much beyond its immediate meaning. Thus, we usually combine these conventions together to convey larger meanings

Language – as defined above it is an exclusively human property. Among the characteristics that make a relatively clear distinction between linguistic and nonlinguistic communication meaningful, two are particularly important: double articulation and syntax.

Languages consist of tens of thousands of signs, which are combinations of form and meaning. Form in spoken languages is a sequence of sounds, in written languages for example a sequence of letters (depending upon what kind of writing system we are talking about) and in the sign languages of the deaf a certain combination of gestures. Here, we shall concentrate on spoken languages, and one example of a sign is the English word sit, which has the form /sIt/. Speakers of English associate a certain meaning with this form: ‘to assume a position of rest in which the weight is largely supported by the buttocks

When you know a language, you can speak and be understood by others who know that language. This means you are able to produce strings of sounds that signify certain meanings and to understand or interpret the sounds produced by others. But language is much more than speech. Deaf people produce and understand sign languages just as hearing persons produce and understand spoken languages. The languages of the deaf communities throughout
the world are equivalent to spoken languages, differing only in their modality of expression. Most everyone knows at least one language. Five-year-old children are nearly as proficient at speaking and understanding as their parents.

Yet the ability to carry out the simplest conversation requires profound knowledge that most speakers are unaware of. This is true for speakers of all languages, from Albanian to Zulu. A speaker of English can produce a sentence having two relative clauses without knowing what a relative clause is.

For example: My goddaughter who was born in Sweden and who now lives in Iowa is named Disa, after a Viking queen. In a parallel fashion, a child can walk without understanding or being able to explain the principles of balance and support or the neuro physiological control mechanisms that permit one to do so. The fact that we may know something unconsciously is not unique to language.

Language” is a complex system of communication used by humans. It consists of a set of symbols, sounds, and rules that allow people to convey information and express thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Here is a tabular guide to some key aspects of language:

Aspect of Language Description
Sounds (Phonetics & Phonology) These are the basic sounds (phonemes) used in language. Phonetics studies these sounds physically, while phonology looks at how they function in a particular language.
Words (Morphology) This refers to the structure of words. Morphology studies how sounds combine to form words and parts of words (like prefixes or suffixes) that alter meaning.
Sentences (Syntax) Syntax involves the rules for combining words into grammatically sensible sentences. It’s the structure of sentence formation.
Meaning (Semantics) Semantics deals with the meaning of words and sentences. It examines how meanings are conveyed through language.
Use (Pragmatics) Pragmatics focuses on how context influences the interpretation of meaning. It looks at how people use language in social situations.
Change (Historical Linguistics) This area studies how languages evolve and change over time, tracing historical shifts in phonetics, grammar, and vocabulary.
Language Acquisition This is the study of how individuals learn language, focusing on the stages and processes involved in becoming proficient in a language.
Sociolinguistics Sociolinguistics examines how language varies and changes in social groups, considering factors like region, class, and gender.
Psycholinguistics This field studies the psychological and neurobiological factors that enable humans to acquire, use, and understand language.
Computational Linguistics This area involves using computer science to process and analyze language data. It’s key in developing technologies like speech recognition and machine translation.

Each of these aspects contributes to our understanding of language and its role in human communication and cognition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, language is a complex and vital aspect of human communication. It encompasses multiple components, including phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, that work together to create meaning. Language serves various purposes, allowing us to express ourselves, convey information, build relationships, and transmit culture. Understanding language is crucial for effective communication and understanding among individuals and communities.

by Abdullah Sam
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