Definition and Characteristics of Language | Introduction to Linguistics

Definition of Language:

Language is a system of communication that uses symbols, such as words, sounds, and gestures, to convey meaning. It's a unique human ability that enables us to express thoughts, feelings, and ideas, and to interact with others.

Characteristics of Language:

Arbitrariness: The relationship between words and their meanings is arbitrary, meaning there's no inherent connection between the sounds of a word and its meaning. For example, there's no reason why a tree is called "tree" in English; it's just a convention.

Discreteness: Language is composed of discrete units, such as words and sounds, that can be combined and rearranged to create meaningful messages. Each unit carries its own meaning, and changing even one unit can alter the entire message.

Displacement: Humans can use language to talk about things that are not present in the immediate environment or even things that don't exist at all. This allows us to discuss past events, plan for the future, and imagine hypothetical scenarios.

Productivity: Language is creative and generative, allowing speakers to produce an infinite number of novel utterances by combining a finite set of linguistic elements (words, sounds, grammatical rules) in new ways.

Cultural Transmission: Language is passed down from generation to generation through social interaction and learning. It's not instinctive; rather, it's acquired through exposure to the language spoken in one's community.

Duality of Patterning: Language consists of two levels of structure: the small, meaningless elements (such as sounds or letters) and the larger, meaningful units (such as words or phrases). This allows for a rich variety of expression through the combination of basic elements into complex structures.

Multifunctionality: Language serves various functions beyond simple communication, including expressing emotions, establishing social relationships, and conveying cultural identity.

Key Facts:

• Language is a fundamental aspect of human cognition and social interaction.
• It encompasses spoken, written, and signed forms of communication.
• There are thousands of languages spoken around the world, each with its own unique characteristics and grammar.
• Language development begins in infancy, with babies gradually acquiring vocabulary and grammatical structures through exposure to language input from caregivers and the environment.
• Linguists study language to understand its structure, usage, variation, and evolution, as well as its role in human society and cognition.