2. Meaning of Language
A language is a system of communication which consists of a set of sounds and written
symbols which are used by the people of a particular country or region for talking or
writing.
Language use refers to the communicative meaning of language. It can be
compared to usage, which refers to the rules for making language and the
structures we use to make it.
Language came about and evolved over time in order for humans to survive and develop.
It was first invented and used by Homo sapiens, but researchers don't know exactly when.
Language likely began somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000 years ago.
Language is a system of communication that relies on verbal or non-verbal codes to
transfer information. Communication is a way of interchanging messages or information
between two or more people, focusing on the message.
3. DEFINATION
Many revisions are tied to language concerning race, gender and sexuality, as well as
religion, said Jocelyn Neal, a professor in the music department at the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill.
— Radhika Marya, CNN, 13 Aug. 2022
Noam Chomsky says the language is the inherent capability of native speakers to
understand and form grammatical sentences. A language is a set of (finite or infinite)
sentences, each finite length constructed out of a limited set of elements.
----Noam Chomsky
According to Lyons, languages are the principal communication systems used by
particular groups of human beings within the specific society of which they are
members.
-Lyons
4. NATURE OF LANGUAGE:
1. Language is learnt: Learning of language is not an automatic process. Of
course, it is a behaviour but it is not type of behaviour like walking and crawling that
comes to child in natural way. Language by imitation and practice. Language is not
possible without effort.
2. Language is related to the culture of society: Every language is related to
culture of society to which it belongs. The culture of the people naturally influences
the language. Every language is the product of society.
3. Language is species specific: Language is species specific. Only human beings
have got the gift of language. Of course, the other species do communicate but only
human beings can make use of language.
5. 4. Language is species uniformed: Language is
species uniformed. All human children are capable of
acquiring any language natively if they are provided
the right kind of environment.
5. Language is a system: Each language is a
unique system. The system of language consists of
sounds, structures and vocabulary. A person who
wants to learn a new language will have to learn new
sounds, new structures and new vocabulary.
7. Language is a system of symbols: Each
language works through symbols. Different words
used in a language are the symbols. They stand for
certain things. The language will function well if its
symbols are known both to the speaker and the
person for whom they are being used.
6. Referential: One of the main functions of
language is sharing information with an
audience. This is the language you use to
convey information in an objective way. For
example: Sales are up 3% this quarter.
Emotive: Also called expressive, this function
helps us to interpret emotions, feelings,
desires, and moods of the subject. The
emotive function gives us direct information
about the sender’s tone. For example: I’m
excited about the new car I bought!
FOLLOWING ARE THE SIX FUNCTIONS OF LANGUAGE THAT JAKOBSON
DESCRIBED:
7. Conative: This function focuses on the receiver of the
message. The language used with this function is meant to get
the attention of or a reaction from the addressee. For example:
Can you show John where to find the paper clips?
Phatic: The phatic function is used to establish a social
connection without really communicating any meaningful
information. This type of language is used to start or stop a
conversation or to check the connection between the sender
and receiver. For example: “How are you?” “I’m fine.” “See you
later.”
Poetic: This one is also known as the aesthetic function of
language. This function focuses on the message as well as the way
the message is communicated. This means that the message might
be embellished with rhetorical figures of speech or “flowery”
language.
8. Metalingual: Meta is basically defined as self-awareness. So
metalingual refers to talking about the language itself—its
features, word definitions, clarifying ambiguity, and describing
deliberate word play are metalingual functions. The metalingual
function is also relevant in translation if foreign words are used to
give special meaning or emphasis.
