Defining Language
Language is a collection of symbols, letters, or words with arbitrary meanings that are governed by
rules and used to communicate.
Language consists of words or symbols that represent things without being those things. People originally
assigned arbitrary labels to objects in order to communicate ideas; as new objects are made, new words or
symbols are created to aid communication. The word motorcycle is a symbol for a vehicle that runs on
gasoline, but the symbol is not the vehicle itself. Recently, we have begun to use hashtags in this way, as
well. Putting the hash sign (#) in front of a word or acronym creates a hashtag that typically symbolizes
an idea, a feeling, a product, and even a social movement. When you listen to others' verbal
communication or read written words, you decode, or assign meaning to, their words to translate them
into thoughts of your own. Because language is an imperfect means of transmission, the thoughts
expressed by one person never exactly match what is decoded by another. In other words, language is an
imperfect process that often requires corrections.
Verbal communication is essential in practically everything we do, from doing well at work to relating to
friends and relatives. Both writing and speaking rely on the use of language. Verbal communication
represents one of the two major codes of communication; the other is nonverbal communication.
Our definition tells you that language consists of words or symbols, has rules, and is arbitrary, but the
definition does not reveal some of the other important characteristics of language. Language also is
intertwined with culture, organizes reality, and is abstract. In this section we take a closer look at each of
these characteristics.
Language is a collection of symbols, letters, or words with arbitrary meanings that are governed by
rules and used to communicate.
Language consists of words or symbols that represent things without being those things. People originally
assigned arbitrary labels to objects in order to communicate ideas; as new objects are made, new words or
symbols are created to aid communication. The word motorcycle is a symbol for a vehicle that runs on
gasoline, but the symbol is not the vehicle itself. Recently, we have begun to use hashtags in this way, as
well. Putting the hash sign (#) in front of a word or acronym creates a hashtag that typically symbolizes
an idea, a feeling, a product, and even a social movement. When you listen to others' verbal
communication or read written words, you decode, or assign meaning to, their words to translate them
into thoughts of your own. Because language is an imperfect means of transmission, the thoughts
expressed by one person never exactly match what is decoded by another. In other words, language is an
imperfect process that often requires corrections.
Verbal communication is essential in practically everything we do, from doing well at work to relating to
friends and relatives. Both writing and speaking rely on the use of language. Verbal communication
represents one of the two major codes of communication; the other is nonverbal communication.
Our definition tells you that language consists of words or symbols, has rules, and is arbitrary, but the
definition does not reveal some of the other important characteristics of language. Language also is
intertwined with culture, organizes reality, and is abstract. In this section we take a closer look at each of
these characteristics.
