The Nature of Language

1. describe the nature of

language;
2. explain the
characteristics of
language;
3. evaluate their previous
idea of language and
compared it with the
concepts discussed in
the class.
 Enduring Understanding

 Basically, language can be defined as the

tool used in communication process.
 It is through language that we are able to
express our thoughts, share our feelings,
and communicate our views and
perspectives about things.
 Enduring Understanding

 However, language can also be the

source of misunderstanding sometimes.
 That is because there is no one-to-one
correspondence between words and
meanings, and even between gestures
and meanings.
 Enduring Understanding

• Take for instance the following example:

Karon is a word found both in Hiligaynon

and Cebuano languages referring to the
concept of time. But while karon in Cebuano
means ‘now’, karon in Hiligaynon means ‘later’.
 Enduring Understanding

 It is therefore important that we are

familiar with a particular language so
that we can understand it and use it in
the communication process.
 Enduring Understanding

DEFINITIONS OF LANGUAGE
 Enduring Understanding

1. Language is a purely human and non-

instinctive method of communicating
ideas, emotions, and desires by means of
a system of voluntarily produced symbols.
~Sapir (1921)
 Enduring Understanding

2. Language is the process whereby

humans communicate and interact with
each other by means of habitually used
oral-auditory arbitrary symbols.
~Hall (1969)
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• 3. Language is a system of arbitrary vocal

symbols used for human communication.
~Wardaugh (1972)
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Characteristics of Language
(Fromkin and Rodman, 2003)
 
 Enduring Understanding

1. Wherever humans exist, language

exists.
2. All languages change through time.
3. All grammars contain rules for the
formation of words and sentences
of a similar kind.
 Enduring Understanding

4. Similar grammatical categories (e.g.

noun, verb, etc.) are found in all
languages.
 Enduring Understanding

5. Any normal child, born anywhere in the

world, of any racial, geographical, social,
or economic heritage, is capable of
learning any language to which s/he is
exposed to.
The differences we find among
languages cannot be due to biological
reasons.