Introduction
The term language describes any body of sounds, words, symbols or gestures used by specific groups of people to communicate with each other (Language, n. d.). There are many types of languages including speech, body language, sign language, and written languages such as mathematics, music and symbols. Language has many functions that are determined by the mode in which they are presented. The way language is conveyed can alter the intended meaning or context for example a difference in tone can change a comment from complimentary to sarcastic.
Language is continuously evolving. An example of this is the short, abbreviated style we now use to communicate digitally. One tiny picture called an emoji can now convey our feelings. Emojis are also universal, serving as a communication tool to bridge the gap between different languages. Other examples of language evolving are the several new forms of English that have emerged such as Aboriginal English, American English and East Asian English.
Language plays many roles in our lives as “language is both a social tool and an information tool” (Hayes & Gee, 2011, p.24). Language is a powerful means of communication, learning and self expression; and contributes substantially to our sense of identity, wellbeing and belonging. Children predominantly learn language from observing and interacting with adults. The manner in which adults use language and interact with children, determines how children learn to use language
Language is an integral part of human existence. It is not only a crucial tool in which we use to convey meaning to others, but also a cultural construct passed down from previous generations that helps to define who we are and how we relate to others. Ultimately language defines our relationships with others, the way we use language is shaped by our own socio- cultural background and also that of whoever we may be communicating with. Self awareness of how our own use of language has been shaped by our background and an understanding of what shapes others use of language leads to better communication, understanding and empathy.
Language – Method of communication either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured or conventional way. A recognised structured system of gestures, signs and symbols used to communicate. Body of words and the systems for their use common to a people who are of the same community or nation, geographical area or same cultural tradition.
Language is a method in which individuals communicate in order to get their opinion across to the listening party. Language is the tool which ideas can be conveyed in various ways. Typically, language is referred to verbal communication, however, it ranges to all methods of communication i.e. sign language.
Language can be defined as a means of communication through spoken sounds, written symbols, or hand and body gestures. Subject to this simple definition language is neither human nor animal exclusive, meaning that all living creatures use some form of language to communicate. Humans have created the most advanced system of language. Human language has advanced to include listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and visual representation. These components are known as the six language arts and while they are individual components they are as well interdependent. What you learn about one affects what and how you learn about the others.
The term language refers to an understood, systematic arrangement of signs, symbols and gestures used to communicate.
Language is the ability to communicate. It does not necessarily mean verbal communication, although this is one method. Nonverbal communication such as our language register and body language are other forms of communication.
Throughout a child’s early stages of life, language is used primarily for communicating with parents in order to get what they need. From as early as birth babies communicate through crying in order to tell parents what they want. Parents soon learn to distinguish between the hungry cry, the wet/dirty cry and the tired cry. According to Halliday, 1975, children begin to learn their first language from between six – eighteen months old. He believes children are learning a ‘system of meanings’. He looks at language from a functional point of view and suggests there are seven functions that language serves for young children. The first four of these functions ensure that social, emotional and physical needs are catered to, they are called, Instrumental, Regulatory, Interactional and Personal. Instrumental refers to a child using language to ensure they get what they need or want. The Regulatory function tells others what to do in order to control their behaviour. The Interactional function relates to the use of language in order to interact with the people around the child particularly those seen as important such as parents and siblings or close friends. The personal function relates to how the child uses language to explain feelings, and their own identity. The other three functions are used as children become older and want to know more about the world, tell stories and pass on information.
Language is becoming a powerful means of communication. From connecting two words first children are beginning gradually to build up sentences and their talking is becoming understandable even to those who are not in regular contact with the child. Even though there might be the odd mistake in the sentence structure, the language toward the end of this period is becoming fluent and children ask questions and generally enjoy expressing themselves through language.
Language is an essential part of our daily lives. Language is used to communicate with other people to meet our needs and satisfy our understandings. Everyone uses one language or another. Some have an advantage and are able to use
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, language is "the system of words or signs that people use to express thoughts and feelings to each other". Therefore, language can be considered as a form of human communication. As cultures and societies grow and evolve, language evolves with them too. Annually, four thousand words are added to the Oxford English Dictionary . Many factors contribute to the evolution of the English Language such as: technological advances, interaction and exposure to other languages, and the always evolving contemporary American culture. The hip hop culture greatly contributes to the semantic change of the English language.
There are many different variations of language, language that is seen, such as sign language, body language and written language, then there is the language that is heard, such as people speaking. There are over 7,000 spoken languages in the world alone without taking into consideration nonverbal languages. For adults and children alike, this can be overwhelming because in each language there are different behaviour patterns, different registers, different age groups and what is acceptable in one language may not be considered acceptable in another such as how close is too close to stand to someone else. For children who come from families whose first language is not English, this is even more difficult when trying to live somewhere that doesn’t predominately speak their first language, which is just one of the many differences people have to be aware of when considering diversity. This essay will examine the different environmental and circumstantial factors that may influence the development of children and the role that language can play in their lives as they grow, such as what and who children are exposed to, positive and negative influences such as adults and other children and the lifelong impact these surroundings have on the child.
Language is something that we need and use for everything in our lives. Language is, “a symbolic communication system that is learned instead of biologically inherited.” (O’Neil, 2006). Language is communication that is either written down or spoken in words or sentences. We need to have a good understanding of language to learn, work and for our normal lives. You need to know language to be able to communicate with other people. Language has structure and meaning, for example words and sentences. Language also had tone, pitch, pace and volume. There are several types of language, receptive language, expressive language, emergent language. Receptive language is how you receive and understand language and expressive language is how
Learning language is not only about learning the grammar or the syntax but we can know more than that with language. Based on the existence of language, we can know the system that human before us used to communicate which will bring us to the study of sociology. Apart from that, we can learn how our amazing brain works to produce and to memorize the system of the language that we have been using to speak or to write since we were a baby, through the help from the study of psychology. In addition, we can be exposed by several natures of language that we might overlook such as the existence of specific system in languages, the uniqueness of the language and the identification of a society based on the language used. A language serves several purposes to human being in their daily life. Working, eating, even sleeping, we need certain kind of system for us to be able to perform those activities in our life. The transformation of language within several hundred years gives a lot of significance to the current world too, as language is an important medium to the world to communicate and it becomes easier and easier to learn as the time goes by. Hence, the area of linguistic is an interesting journey to be explored and more knowledge will be discovered from time to
In a world of such vibrant colors, sounds, and breathtaking scenery is something else that can be so beautiful, but so painful at the same time; You can have the language of love that will sweep you off your feet with words of sweet nothings, melody enticing poetry, and floating sounds of harps and flutes dancing upon your ears. Language can also be the tongue of war that oozes with hatred, vengeance, and fear that pierces down to the very core of our being. So what does languages such as these and the many others that fill this vast world around us do for us as an individual, culture, society? Also we must ponder just where language comes from, do you create it or is it creating us?