Function of language and word

The word as a basic unit of language

The word is the subject matter of Lexicology. The
word may be described as a basic unit of language. The definition of
the word is one of the most difficult problems in Linguistics because
any word has many different aspects. It is simultaneously a semantic,
grammatical and phonological unit.
Accordingly the word may be defined as
the basic unit of a given language resulting from the association of
a particular meaning with a particular group of sounds capable of a
particular grammatical employment. This
definition based on the definition of a word given by the eminent
French linguist Arthur Meillet does
not permit us to distinguish words from phrases. We
can accept the given definition adding that a word is the smallest
significant unit of a given language capable of functioning alone and
characterized by positional mobility within a sentence, morphological
uninterruptability and semantic integrity.
In Russian Linguistics it is the word but not the morpheme as in
American descriptive linguistics that is the basic unit of language
and the basic unit of lexical articulation of the flow of the speech.
Thus, the word is a structural and
semantic entity within the language system. The word is the basic
unit of the language system, the largest on the morphological level
and the smallest on the syntactic level of linguistic analysis.
As any language unit the word is a two facet unit possessing both its
outer form (sound form) and content (meaning) which is not created in
speech but used ready-maid. As the basic unit of language the word is
characterized by independence or separateness (отдельность),
as a free standing item, and identity (тождество).

The word as an independent
free standing language unit is
distinguished in speech due to its ability to take on grammatical
inflections (грамматическая
оформленнасть) which makes it
different from the morpheme.

The structural
integrity (цельная
оформленнасть) of the word
combined with the semantic integrity and morphological
uninterruptability (морфологическая
непрерывность) makes the word
different from word combinations.

The identity of the
word manifests itself in the ability of
a word to exist as a system and unity of all its forms (grammatical
forms creating its paradigm) and variants: lexical-semantic,
morphological, phonetic and graphic.

The system showing a word in all its word forms is
called its paradigm. The lexical meaning of a word is the same
throughout the paradigm, i.e. all the word forms of one and the same
word are lexical identical while the grammatical meaning varies from
one form to another (give-gave-given-giving-gives;
worker-workers-worker’s-workers’).

Besides the grammatical forms of the words (or
word forms), words possess lexical varieties called variants of words
(a word – a polisemantic word in one of its meanings in which it is
used in speech is described as a lexical-semantic variants. The term
was introduced by A.I. Smernitskiy; e.g. “to learn at school” –
“to learn about smth”; man – мужчина/человек).
Words may have phonetic, graphic and morphological variants:

often – [Þfən]/[
Þftən] – phonetic
variants

birdy/birdie –
graphic variants

phonetic/phonetical – morphological
variants

Thus, within the language system the word exists as a system and
unity of all its forms and variants. The term lexeme may
serve to express the idea of the word as a system of its forms and
variants.

Every word names a given referent and another one and this
relationship creates the basis for establishing understanding in
verbal intercourse (общение). But because
words mirror concepts through our perception of the world there’s
no singleness in word-thing correlations.

As reality becomes more complicated, it calls for
more sophisticated means of nomination. In recent times Lexicology
has developed a more psycho-linguistic and ethno-cultural orientation
aimed at looking into the actual reality of how lexical items work.

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Content

• What are the functions of language?
• Language functions according to Karl Bühler
• 1. Symbolic or representative function
• 2. Symptomatic or expressive function
• 3. Signaling or appealing function
• Language functions according to Roman Jakobson
• 1. Appellate or conative function
• 2. Referential, representative or informative function
• 3. Emotional, expressive or symptomatic function
• 4. Poetic or aesthetic function
• 5. Phatic or contact function
• 6. Metalinguistic function
• According to the functional systemic linguistics of Michael Halliday
• 1. Ideative function
• 2. Interpersonal function
• 3. Textual function
• According to the theory of speech acts
• 1. Speech act
• 2. Ilocutive act
• 3. Perlocutionary act

The main function of language is to communicate, however, depending on the type of statement, how it is composed and the purpose behind it, we can talk about different functions of language.

There are many models that appeared throughout the 20th century to specify what the functions of language were. Great linguists such as Roman Jakobson, John Searle, J. L. Austin, among others, proposed their own models.

Following we are going to expose the main models on language functions, explaining what functions they consider to exist and giving some examples.

• Related article: «The 28 types of communication and their characteristics»

We could define language functions as the different roles for which language is used, that is, the different purposes for which we emit a certain sentence, be it written or oral. The main function of human language is to communicate, however, our type of communication allows us to operate in different ways depending on the type of message that we want to transmit or the type of response that we want to generate in our receiver.

There are several models of language functions that have been proposed throughout the 20th century. Next we will see these different models and what specific language functions they speak of.

Language functions according to Karl Bühler

One of the first models to talk about the functions of language we have in the case of Karl Bühler, model of 1918. This linguist postulated that there were only three functions:

1. Symbolic or representative function

The symbolic function focuses on referential communication, talking about things, beings and relationships in the real world or possible imaginary worlds, of which account or report objectively using symbols. It is the main function of language, since it is the one that transmits more extensive information. It is the only specific function of the human being.

2. Symptomatic or expressive function

The symptomatic or expressive function refers to the ability to communicate and express feelings, making use of what in linguistics has been called symptoms (emotional expressions).

3. Signaling or appealing function

Through the pointing or appealing function, the interlocutor is influenced by issuing orders, commands, suggestions or questions. These sentences, which can be imperative, wishful and interrogative, are called signs.

These three functions can be given through non-linguistic signs and, as we said, only the referential function is specifically human, since only people can objectively describe a real or hypothetical situation. The other two also occur in animal communication, since other species can emit feelings (show fear, sadness, hostility …) and orders and commands (drive an intruder into their territory by barking, sexually insinuate to mate …)

Language functions according to Roman Jakobson

One of the most famous and widespread models is that of the language functions proposed by Roman Jakobson in 1958, stating that there were six of the aforementioned functions and classified them according to the use of the language they have in the communicative act.

1. Appellate or conative function

The appellate function occurs when the sender issues a message from which he expects a response, action or reaction from his interlocutor. It receives the qualifier of «appellative» while the issuer appeals to a receiver, that is, it is used with the purpose of attracting attention. It can be recognized in everyday life, as well as in advertising and political propaganda.

The appellative function usually uses the following elements: the vocative (calling someone by name or a pronoun), the imperative mood (giving orders) and the interrogative mood (asking questions). Appellative expressions are the grammatical forms of questions, exhortations, orders, instructions, threats, and requests, to give just a few examples.

Examples of expressions with appellative function:

• Manuel, can you help me with the shopping bags?
• Did you make the food?
• Put on your mask!
• Wash your hands before entering the establishment.
• Buy 100% organic and organic vegan milk.
• Vote for the pan-European party. Vote for Europe!

2. Referential, representative or informative function

The referential function is one in which the sender elaborates messages related to his environment or objects external to the communicative act, that is, he describes the world. It allows us to transmit information and characteristics of everything that makes up our reality, such as objects, animals, people, events and actions.

This function is characteristic of informative contexts, scientific discourses and informative documents, all of them focused on transmitting knowledge, although it is also used constantly in daily life.

Among the main linguistic resources used in the referential function we have deictics, which are words that serve to point to specific people, spaces or situations (we, that, this, today, yesterday …); the denotative mode, referring to the main meaning of the words; nouns and verbs that make known the information that is described; the enunciative intonation and the indicative tense.

Examples of referential expressions:

• Rubén has arrived.
• They are my brothers.
• Paris is the capital of France.
• I have broken my right leg.
• Bees are haplodiploid organisms.
• Tomorrow is Thursday.

3. Emotional, expressive or symptomatic function

The emotional function, as its name suggests, It is used for the purpose of communicating and transmitting feelings, emotions, moods or wishes of the issuer. Although in this function there are representative or referential elements, what stands out the most and prevails about them are the expression of emotion.

Normally, the person referred to in phrases with an expressive function is the issuer himself, which is why it is normal to use the first person singular («I’m depressed»), although there are also plurals (» We are dismayed «) or even personal (» What a beautiful day today! «). In addition to using the first person, subjunctive verbs, interjections, and exclamatory sentences are often used.

Examples of emotional function:

• My leg hurts!
• I am not comfortable with this situation.
• I am satisfied and happy!
• I miss you.
• I’m sorry that Maradona died!

4. Poetic or aesthetic function

The poetic function It occurs when we communicate something but with an aesthetic purpose, trying to make it sound beautiful and with a certain playful air. In this function, more importance is given to how the sentence is constructed rather than to its content and meaning.

The care of the form itself is taken into special consideration and rhetorical figures are used, this function being characteristic of literary texts and, also, popular forms of discourse. Among them we find popular sayings, tongue twisters, novels, stories, fables, songs, jokes, riddles …

Among the different rhetorical or literary figures that can be identified in expressions with an aesthetic function we find:

• Metaphors
• Similes
• Hyperbole
• Metonymies
• Hyperbaton
• Ellipse
• Descriptions
• Ironies

Examples of poetic function:

• Three sad tigers eat wheat in a wheat field. (Tongue twister)
• Gold seems, silver is not, who does not know a fool is. (Riddle)
• Every cloud has a silver lining. (Saying)
• The man was tall and so skinny that he always seemed in profile (Hyperbole)

Each song (poem by Federico García Lorca)

I did not want. I didn’t want to tell you anything. I saw in your eyes two crazy trees. Of breeze, of laughter and of gold. They wiggled. I did not want. I didn’t want to tell you anything.

5. Phatic or contact function

The phatic or contact function is focused on validating the communication channel between two interlocutors. This function is used to start, maintain and end a conversation.

Examples of sentences with phatic function:

• Tell me.
• Hello good day.
• I hear you, yes.
• Oh! Wow…
• I understand…
• Until next time.

6. Metalinguistic function

Finally, within Jakobson’s model we have the metalinguistic function. It refers to the use of language to explain the language code, that is, it is the language we use to describe and reflect on the language itself. This function is what is activated when aspects of grammar, the meaning of a word are explained or when speaking about the functions of the language itself. In effect, in this article we are using the metalinguistic function.

Examples of metalinguistic function:

• Before the letter «p» and «b» is written «m» in Spanish.
• The metalinguistic function is the language we use to describe and reflect on the linguistic code itself.
• The longest word in Spanish is “electroencephalographer”, which has 23 letters.
• What does «hinny» mean?
• Sharp words are accentuated when they end in a vowel or the letters «n» or «s».
• What do you mean by saying «you can’t»?

According to the functional systemic linguistics of Michael Halliday

The functional systemic linguistics of Michael Halliday has questioned several proposals, among them those of structuralist linguists, such as that of Ferdinand de Saussure and Louis Hjelmslev, or that of generativists such as Noam Chomsky, who until then had not allowed a study of the combination » language-speaks ”simultaneously.

Halliday raises this discussion in his book «Language as Social Semiotics» (1978) in which he formulates a new point in linguistics at that time that integrates the sociocultural component as a key to understanding language, placing the context as an intrinsic part of this. He considers that language is an aspect that occurs both at intra and interorganic levels, unlike the predecessor proposals that isolated the linguistic phenomenon.

In its particular grammar it postulates various functions of language, which are summarized below.

1. Ideative function

The ideative function represents the relationship between the speaker and the real world that surrounds him., including the issuer itself. This function allows to structure, determine and understand the world and expresses the individual’s worldview and experience.

2. Interpersonal function

The interpersonal function is what allows to establish and maintain relationships between people, that is, social relationships. It is interactive and serves to express different social functions and roles, including them in communication.

3. Textual function

The textual function is instrumental for the previous two. Through this function the language connects with the situation in which it is being used, allowing to establish coherent relationships between the parts of a text or spoken discourse and its adaptation to the specific situation in which it occurs.

According to the theory of speech acts

The theory of speech acts of John Langshaw Austin and John Searle, exposed in their books «How to do things with words» (1962) and «Speech acts» (1969) is a model that expands the scheme exposed by Jakobson. In this model, we do not speak of functions themselves, but of speech acts or activities.

It is very similar to the Jakobson model, agreeing on some points but changing the names. The representative function was called the locutionary act, this is what is said; to the expressive illocutionary act, which is what is done at the same time as it is said; and the conative is referred to as a perlocutionary act, which is what is achieved by saying it.

1. Speech act

The locutory acts consist of issuing a statement, that is, pronouncing some words, whatever. It is a propositional preaching activity, while the statement consists of simply saying something and preaching something of that something. For us to understand, locutionary phrases would be the following:

• The sky is blue.
• It hurts me.
• I have had spaghetti.
• Congratulations!
• Your mother called you.

He is simply telling us that «the mother» of our interlocutor has called. We only give information, we do not show any kind of intention nor do we intend to change the behavior of our recipient.

Within the locutionary acts we can speak of three different types of acts:

• Phonic activity: the activity of making sounds.
• Phatic activity: the activity of emitting words.
• Retic activity: emit words forming a grammatical sequence with a specific meaning.

2. Ilocutive act

The illocutionary acts They are intentional and are carried out with a specific communicative function, such as affirming, promising, suggesting … That is, the act is being done at the same time that the statement is being issued. They are related to the modality or psychological attitude of the speaker. The expressions through which an illocutionary act is being carried out are hundreds.

• I congratulate you!
• I declare you husband and wife.
• I curse you and your whole family.
• I think that things should not be done that way.
• I want to eat a wild boar.

3. Perlocutionary act

A perlocutionary act is one that causes a reaction in the interlocutor, such as to convince, interest, calm … Thus, it affects the actions, beliefs and feelings of the listener, modifying their behavior and thinking. Some examples, both explicit and more subtle, are as follows (the hidden meaning is put in parentheses):

• Call your mother. (= I order you to call your mother).
• We should hurry, we’re going to be late.
• We are getting late (= let’s go).
• Your mother called (= you should call her).
• Let’s start assembling this puzzle.

Language is not just a sign system, symbolically indicating the objects and phenomena.Language — it is also a tool of human activity in which it performs a number of functions.The main functions of the language can be attributed communicative, cognitive, nominative and accumulative.There is also a secondary function (eg, aesthetic function of language).In this article we consider the basic functions performed by the language and their identity.

basic language functions: communicative function

This function is related to the fact that the language — is a means of interpersonal communication that allows one person to express their thoughts and pass them to another, and another, in turn, understand them and respond.In fact, the language came precisely for communication, that is communication, the exchange of information.Communicative function is carried out through sign language.

Within the communicative function can distinguish the emotional function, explaining it by the fact that by using the language can convey the feelings, desires, and state.Animals that can not pronounce the words, communicate it to transmit emotions.Emotional function of our language, of course, is more complex than in animals.

Thus, the communicative function implies an implementation of communication through messages, communication, influence and expression of emotions, feelings and states.

main functions of language: the cognitive function

Cognitive function is linked to the fact that the linguistic sign is present human consciousness.Language — a tool of consciousness that reflects the result of human cognitive activity.Disputes linguists that occurs before, language or thinking, it seems, never stops.The only opinion that is unmistakable: the language is inextricably linked with thinking, because not only do we express our words, our thoughts, but the thoughts themselves are presented in the form of words;man thinks in words.

Cognitive function allows you to record the results of thinking and use them to communicate.This feature helps to explore the world and to verbalize it.

main functions of language: the nominative function

know that people think in terms of, and in the process of knowledge he calls for new concepts and phenomena themselves.Such a function is called nominative language.

It is closely related to cognitive, since everything is known should be your name.It is also linked to the ability of the linguistic sign denote things.It is this ability to help a person create a symbolic world.However, in our world there are a lot of things that do not have names.How, I wonder, to name a pin buckle belt?In fact, despite the absence of the name, nominative function is implemented by means of description.

main functions of language: accumulative function

accumulative function associated with the collection and storage of information.It is no secret that the language lives much longer than people, people.A striking example — dead languages ​​that survived their carriers.Whatever the language, dead or alive, it keeps the memory of generations, centuries-old history of mankind.Even in the case of loss of oral tradition can be studied ancient writings, and draw some conclusions about the past of the nation.

Recently, the accumulation of information is accelerating, and the amount of information that makes people today, increasing by 30% a year.

Many linguists are isolated and other language features.Among them, for example, kontaktoustanavlivayuschaya, aesthetic and others.If you look closely to additional features, it can be concluded that they are all in some way connected with the above.Research secondary functions of language does not stop, and gives a very interesting data for further scientific research.It’s safe to say that the language and its functions will always be relevant to humans.

What is Language?

Language is a medium of communication. It also serves many other purposes, including education, entertainment, and personal expression. Language can be used to communicate with animals like birds or dolphins. However, language is mostly spoken by humans and occasionally written (e-mail).

Language is used for so many reasons, the most common being how we interact with others. Language has a large effect on our relationships and thus social change. When people are around others, they have two main goals or outcomes in mind: to build rapport/get along and achieve status/power.

Michael Halliday 7 Functions of Language

Halliday’s seven functions of language describe a variety of ways in which children use language.

First, we can talk about how social class affects our use and understanding of the spoken or written text. Take, for example, a person who is from an upper-middle-class family; they will have grown up speaking with various accents that are acceptable in society.

However, if this same person goes to live in another country where their speech patterns are different from what they had been used to, it may take time for him/her to adjust his/her accent so that it matches those around them.

Halliday’s study is a competing view of Noam Chomsky’s formalist method. Halliday’s interest is with “natural language in actual contexts of use” in a wide typological variety of languages. At the same time, Chomsky is concerned only with the formal properties of languages such as English, which he believes in representing the essence of what he terms Universal Grammar.

In 1975, Halliday established seven language roles for children in their early years. For Halliday, children are encouraged to learn a language because it meets certain objectives or functions. The first four functions allow the child to meet physical, emotional, and social needs.  They are :

• Instrumental
• Regulatory
• Interactional
• Personal functions.

The next three functions help a child to come to terms with his or her environment. They are;

• Heuristic
• Imaginative
• Representational

Michael Halliday 7 Functions of Language

Instrumental Function of Language

We all use language in our everyday life. We use it to communicate with others, for work and study, and entertainment or personal expression.

The main function of a language is called the instrumental function: we can call this its practical side because it serves a certain purpose within society.

Most languages have other functions, too – they play an important role in fostering feelings of identity and belonging; they are also used to express emotions such as love or anger and may be used to pass down knowledge from one generation to another.

An instrumental function of language is used to achieve a certain result. It accomplishes something either for the speaker or someone else, and this function helps us understand its purpose.

Instrumental Function of Language Example

The “I like,” “I need” function of language is an example of the instrumental function giving the speaker satisfaction once his material need is being given and received by him/her.

Regulatory Functions of Language

The regulatory functions of language are just as important in the development of an individual as they are in maintaining proper physiological states. It is the function that controls the behavior of another person or others.

Example of Regulatory Functions Of Language

Example: “Do the things; it needs to be finished.” “Leaves that nonsense puzzle.” This function does not dwell on the material things or the services rendered; rather, the actor who carries out the issued command.

Interactional Function of Language

What Is the Interactional Function of Language?

The interactional function is the communicative use of language. When people communicate with each other, they have to put the ideas into words and sentences so that others can understand them.

As a result, most language users rarely think about how they are using their own language for communication purposes or what purpose(s) their language serves as they interact in speech situations.

Examples of Interactional Function Of Language.

An example is having a conversation with friends or family members, giving presentations at the workplace, etc. “You and Me”; “greeting.” Thus, this language is to establish a social relationship.

Personal Function of Language

The personal function of language is an important concept in linguistics. In the context of linguistics, personal function means information about people and their relationships. For example, we use pronouns such as “me” or “you” to identify a particular person who is being spoken to.

Examples of Personal Function of Language

It is the language that uses the “Here I come.”

Heuristic Function of Language

When we speak of language, the term heuristic refers to how our brain organizes and processes information. Language is a complex system that employs several different communication media types, including spoken or written text, gestures, and expressions.

The word “heuristic” comes from the Greek word for “search,” which indicates its purpose in our daily lives: as an instrument for learning about reality (i.e., comprehending it) and solving problems.

The term heuristic function of language refers to the ability or potential of language for helping people make decisions. One of the main reasons humans use language is that it helps them solve problems and deal with specific situations.

Therefore, the concept was created in order for linguists to understand better how exactly communication works and what role it plays in the human experience.

Examples of Heuristic Function of Language

Example: “explain to me why” language. The speaker’s inquisitive mind is hungry to be quenched by explanation, truth, facts, figures, and information.

Imaginative Function of Language

We can define the imaginative function of language as the ability to represent mental images. It is a complex phenomenon, as it involves both linguistic and non-linguistic elements. This article will discuss some of the most important factors contributing to this cognitive act.

The imaginative function of language is the ability to use words, sounds, and grammatical forms to evoke pictures, images, or scenes in mind.

The word “imaginative” is derived from the imagination, which means the power of forming mental images or concepts that are not actual objects but have an existence only in fancy. This function enables us to create imaginary worlds that help us understand abstract ideas by giving them concrete forms which we can see, hear and touch.

Language’s imaginative function is one factor in the function of human speech, and it has been described as “the power to evoke images and sensations.” The notion that words carry meaning independent from their referents can be traced back at least to Plato’s Cratylus.

Philosophers have debated whether words primarily denote concepts or things, with implications for how they shape thought; George Berkeley proposed a subjective theory of perception and meaning according to which “to say ‘there are bodies’ is to say that there are certain ideas in my mind.”

Imaginative Function of Language Examples

Example: “Let’s allow our imagination to run wild” function of the language. Here, the speaker expresses one’s imaginative thoughts, fictional ideas, and make-believe notions out of the world stories.

Representational Function of Language

The representational function of language refers to the way that words can be used to refer to things, people and events.

The representational function of language is its ability to establish a connection between an object and that object’s name. This representation is manifested in many ways, such as through the use of pictures or diagrams.

Representation is important because it allows us to form meaning from our experience by linking names with objects we have seen before (Chomsky). Name-referent connections are the basis for linguistic understanding and knowledge acquisition.

Examples of Representational Function of Language

Example: “I’ll tell you.””I know.” Conveying messages, telling about the real world, expressing a proposition

Other Functions of Language

Informative Function of Language

The informative function of language is to inform or provide a piece of information. It may also be called the expository function. This part aims to give an audience new knowledge or facts that they did not previously possess on a subject matter.

The informative function of language is a type of communication that explains an aspect or process, such as how to perform a task. The informative function aims to achieve clarity and conciseness to communicate the material being presented more efficiently while engaging the audience’s attention and interest.

Example of Informative Function Of Language

“I have something to tell you” language. This language gives the speaker the free rein to put one’s pieces of information across. In this function, the speaker fills in the minds of people spoken to with information that answer the “why’s.

Transactional Function of Language

The study of the transactional function of language is still in its nascent stage. Although the concept has been around for a long time, it has just begun to be studied. The first studies were carried out by Penelope Brown and Stephen C. Levinson, which are based on their work from 1986-1987 at Max Plank Institute in Nijmegen, Netherlands (Brown & Levinson).

They hold that the words are produced as responses to requests and carry messages about the relationship between the two parties involved in the interaction.

The transactional function of language is its use as a means to interact with others. This includes giving and receiving information, expressing opinions and feelings, requesting or prohibiting something, making arrangements for the future, and so on.

The purpose of this type of interaction is not only to add more depth to our speech but also to make it easier to understand what we are trying to say while providing clarity in terms such that there will be no misunderstanding between interlocutors.

Example of Transactional Function Of Language

transactional function is concerned with the transmission of information. If at the greengrocer’s then there is this conversation between person A and B.
A: Two pounds like cherry tomatoes.
B: These ones, or the ones next to the potatoes?
A: The ones next to the potatoes
B: That’s £

 A must transmit, and the greengrocer (B) understands the information accurately.

Halliday’s Theory of Language Development & Education

Halliday’s theory has enormous implications for education. Teachers are responsible for much of a child’s language development on entry to school, so it is important to recognize the abilities with which a child enters school. All of these abilities may be present in more than one language:

•  The child knows the sound system of the languages. The child knows rules about how words are formed and sometimes overgeneralizes these rules.
• The child knows most of their mother tongue’s main grammatical features (s), although some constructions will be less confident with.
•  The child can become involved in conversations where speakers take turns talking.

Features of language

What are the Features of Language?

Some of these features may be part of animal communication, but they do not form part of it as a whole.

Language is arbitrary

Language is arbitrary in the sense that there is no underlying relationship between the words of a language and their meanings or the ideas expressed by them. There is no explanation why a female adult human being should be named a woman in English, a woman in Urdu, a woman in Persian, and a woman in French.

Choosing a word to mean a specific thing or concept is purely subjective, but when a word is chosen for a particular referent, it comes to staying as such. It should be remembered that if the language had not been arbitrary, there would have been only one language in the world.

Language is Social

Language is a collection of traditional communicative symbols used by people to communicate in a group. Language in this sense is the possession of a social community, consisting of an indispensable set of rules that enables its members to relate to each other, communicate with each other, and cooperate with each other; it is a social institution.

Language exists in society; it is a way of fostering and creating a culture and of forming human ties.

Language is Symbolic

language consists of different sound symbols and their graphological equivalents used to represent such things, events, or meanings. These symbols are randomly chosen and conventionally accepted and used.

Words in a language are not just signs or numbers but symbols of meaning. The intelligibility of a language depends on the proper understanding of the symbols.

Language is Systematic

while language is symbolic, its symbols are organized in a specific structure. Both languages have their own scheme of arrangements. Each language is a system of systems.

All languages have phonological and grammatical structures, and there are many subsystems within the system. E.g., within the grammatical system, we have morphological and syntactic systems, and within these two subsystems, we have systems such as plural, mood, aspect, tense, etc.

Language is Oral

The language consists primarily of vocal sounds created only by the physiological articulatory system of the human body. It only appeared as vocal sounds at the beginning. Writing came much later, as a clever attempt to reflect vocal sounds. Writing is just a visual representation of the sounds of the language. So the linguists say that speech is a predominant one.

Language is non-instinctive, conventional.

No language has been developed by a group of people daily out of a mutually understood formula. Language is the product of evolution and convention. Each generation transmits this convention to the next generation.

Like all human institutions, languages are also changing and dying, growing and expanding. Any language, then, is a group convention. It is not instinctive since human beings acquire it. Nobody has a language of heritage; it acquires it because it has an inherent ability.

Language is productive and creative

language is creative and productive. The structural elements of human language can be merged in order to create new utterances, which neither the speaker nor the listener can ever make or hear before any listener, but which both sides understand without difficulty. Language varies on the basis of the needs of society.

Other Language features;

Duality

Duality refers to the two systems of sound and meaning.

Displacement

Displacement, which means the capacity to speak across time and space.

Humanness

Humanness, which means that animals cannot obtain it.

Universality

Universality, which refers to the balance of humankind on linguistic grounds.

Competence and efficiency

Competence and efficiency, which mean that language is natural and created by culture and that language is also culturally transmitted.

A person learns from his elders and is transmitted from one generation to the next. Thus, using the expression, language is ‘polysystemetic.’ It is also open to being analyzed from a multifaceted angle.

Functions of Language in Society

What are the Functions of Language in Society

• Language is used to communicate about the world/communicate with other people.
•  It can be used as a tool for power and dominance.
•  Language has been used in education, religion, politics, and business.
•  The language we speak shapes how we think.
• It can be used as a form of art, such as in poetry or song lyrics.
• It can be used for entertainment, like in movies and books.
• Language is also often used for educational purposes.
• Language is a way for people to express themselves.
• Language is how we learn about the world and our culture.
• Language helps us understand who we are as individuals.

Properties of language

Humans are able to interact with each other in ways that are peculiar to our species because of the properties of human language. No matter how different human language can sound across different cultures, all of them share six qualities:

Properties of Language:  Cultural transmission

What is Cultural transmission of Language

children are born without the ability to use the language of their cultures. Through watching and listening carefully for the first few years, these children learn the special uses of their culture’s language. That is why we must always speak to even the youngest children and involve them as much as possible in conversation.

Properties of language arbitrariness

What is Arbitrary of Language

Arbitrariness of Language can be defined as the absence of any natural or necessary connection between a word’s meaning and its sound or form.

Why is a kiss called a kiss in English? Nothing ties this group of letters and sounds to what we know as an act of love. In Swedish, the same combination of letters may mean urine. Human language is built around random combinations of sounds that generate meaning.

Properties of Human Language Displacement

What is Displacement of Language

Displacement of language can be defined as the capability to communicate about things that are not immediately present, either spatially or temporally.

Human language is not merely a description of what is tangible in the present. It can be used to explain or visualize things from people that are not in the immediate situation. This makes it possible for people to explore the history and envision the future.

Properties of Human Language Productivity

What is Productivity of Language

Language productivity refers to the way users can manipulate their linguistic resources to produce new expressions and new sentences.

Humans may use sound combinations to produce an infinite number of new words, expressions, and phrases. As their lives and perceptions alter, people will adapt and develop new ways to use language to express these shifts.

Properties of Human Language Discreetness

What is Discreteness of Language

 Discreteness in language refers to the fact that human language is composed of sets of distinct sounds. All the sounds we use in the language are different, and these sounds generate meaning.

There are three distinct sounds in the word pig, and each one is required to express the sense of a pink farm animal completely. The way in which language blends distinct sounds in ways that establish meaning is a human characteristic of language use.

Properties of Human Language Duality

What is Duality of Language

The duality of language pertains to the portrayal of language at two levels: phonology and meaning. Language is structured on two levels at the same time. There are specific sounds in a language that users recognize, such as sounds for w, i, n, and d.  It’s the phonological feature of the language.

At the same time, the way these letters are arranged creates sense. If we arranged a wdni (WDNI) letter, there’s no meaning to it. But if we rearrange them to build the wind, the syntax is simple (and actually differs depending on the way the I is pronounced).

Both the sounds of the symbols and the way they are organized build an organization that gives meaning to the language.

Characteristics of Language

What are the characteristics of language?

Language is a system of communication that uses words to express ideas.  There are over 6,000 languages in the world today. Characteristics of language include;

• Languages can be classified as oral or written, and they can also be classified by their origin (e.g., Indo-European).
•  The word “language” comes from the Latin word “lingua,” which means tongue.
• Language is a system of communication that consists of words and sounds.
• There are many different languages in the world, including English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin.
• The tone of voice can change the meaning of what is being said.
•  Some languages have more than one word for “yes” or “no,” depending on how formal they want to be.
• Language has rules that are not arbitrary.
• The meaning of language is determined by the context in which it is used.
• All languages have phonology, syntax, and semantics.

Importance of language in Culture and Society

• Language is the most fundamental way of communicating with others.
• It is a primary means by which people create and share meaning.
• Languages are used to express thoughts, feelings, ideas, and knowledge.
• They also serve as a vehicle for social identity and self-expression.
• Language is a key part of culture and society.
• It shapes the way we think and communicates with others.
• The words that are used in one language may not be appropriate for another.
• Languages can change over time, both as different groups speak them and as they’re written down.
• There are many different languages in the world, and they can be grouped into families.
•  Languages have their own grammar and structure, which makes them unique from one another.
• Learning another language will help you understand other cultures more deeply.