Language is a learned arbitrary system of vocal symbols by means of which human
beings interact and communicate in terms of their common cultural experience.
Characteristics of Language - Language is learned — The learning process may be natural or structured.
- Language is a system—The complexity of the various facets of it are organically inter-related, such as, sounds, words and structures in integrated with one another and constitute the complex and organic whole which is called language.
- Language is a system of symbols —Its effectiveness consists in its usage
when the symbols are commonly shared and known to all those who are
sharing a common experience. - The system is arbitrary—There is no logical relation between the words and
the objects they stand for except for the Chinese and the other pictorial
languages. Here again, the characters, though pictorial, do have any resemblance with the reality that they stand for. However, in sound languages,
it is necessary that the sounds have a specific meaning. - Language symbols are vocal—Language is primarily speech-Oriented. Its
graphical representation comes later. In many languages there is no graphical
expression at all. They are only spoken and are considered adequate as they
perform the basic function of communication. - Language is relevant in a social setting and has meaning in as far as it expresses common cultural experiences. Languages, therefore, differ because cultures differ.
- Language changes - "We live in a changing world. We cant possibly think in terms of static state of affairs in language or any thing else.
Significance of Language in Human life
Language covers the entire expanse of life. It preserves the best human thoughts and
achievements which enriches life. The scope of language widens with the enlargement of
human activities : the larger the field of human functioning, the wider the extent of a
language: - Social Function - It has been said time and again that language is social' it operates ina social setting; it acquires meaning and significance in a social interaction. It is a means of communication between members of a community, or between a community and community. It is "capable of handling all references andmeanings" (Sapir) of a given culture. It is a means of expression.
- Cultural Function - As a "language is a part of the culture of a people and the chief means by which the members of a society communicate", it is wedded to culture, is inseparable from it and, hence performs a cultural function. The content of every culture is expressable in its language.
- Language and the Individual - As a symbolic system, language either reports to, refers to or substitutes for, direct experience. Whatever the case may be, language cannot "stand apart from or run parellel to direct experience, but completely inter penetrates with it."
- The Expressive Function - Language is a great force of socialisation. "language is primarily a vocal actualisation of the tendency to see realities symbolically". There cannot be any meaningful social interaction without language. The language binds the people into one large group called nation. The national language socialises the behaviour of the whole nation, whereas, the regional languages help integrate regional groups. Language is the greatest and most potent force of integration.
- Aesthetic Aspect- Language helps store culture experiences in the form of literature and other written records for the posterity. These cultural experiences form the nexus of individual realisation. It breathes life into our poets and dramatists. Short of a language, such fine arts were not possible. Aesthetic experiences are the treasure for the posterity to feel proud of it as a national treasure-house.
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