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Function of Language

Functions of Language discusses the key roles and characteristics of human language. Language is a complex, learned skill that is unique to humans and allows for communication through speech and writing. It is a system that is learned socially and culturally, and helps express ideas, thoughts, and information. Language has several functions like communicating, expressing emotions, directing others, interpreting experiences, remembering, thinking, and connecting socially. It is an ever-changing symbolic system that is fundamental to the human experience.

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520 views

Function of Language

Functions of Language discusses the key roles and characteristics of human language. Language is a complex, learned skill that is unique to humans and allows for communication through speech and writing. It is a system that is learned socially and culturally, and helps express ideas, thoughts, and information. Language has several functions like communicating, expressing emotions, directing others, interpreting experiences, remembering, thinking, and connecting socially. It is an ever-changing symbolic system that is fundamental to the human experience.

Uploaded by

FITRIA DESMAYANTI
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Functions of Language

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SRgQ7818FA

Introduction

- Human beings alone have a complex skill of using language through speech, and writing. We use
our vocal organs to make different sounds, words, phrase, and sentences.
- No language was created in a day or by a single person. It is mutually created by a group of
humans to communicate.
- Language also change and die, grow and expand unlike human.
- Language plays an important role in human life, we try learning and using language as a mean of
communication. As well as a social symbol of humanity.
- By using language one can make statements, convey facts or information, explain or report
something and maintain social relations.

Meaning of Language

- The word ‘Language’ is derived from the Latin word ‘Lingue’. Which means ‘Produced with the
tongue’.
- Language is the metod of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use
of words in a structured and conventional way, which helps a person to express his/her feelings,
emotions, thoughts, interests, desires etc.

Definitions of Language

- Henry Sweet “Languange is the expression of ideas by means of speech-sounds combined into
words. Words are combined into sentences, this combination answering to that ideas into
thoughts.”
- Bernard Bloch and George L. Trager “A language is a system of arbitraty vocal symbols by means
of which a social group cooperates.”

Characteristics of Language

- Language is a System
- Language is a Symbolic
- Language is a Social
- Habit-forming Process
- Language is flexible
- Language is Learnt
- Language is based on common Cultural Experience
- Language is for communication

Characteristics of language : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tVgBiKbsec

1. Language is Learnt

o Language is not a born activity like crying or walking. It has to be learnt .


o Any learner learns the language by imitation and practice.

2. Language is acquired behavior

o If a baby or man is shifted to another community or cultural group he will acquire the
language spoken by that community

3. Language is a system

o Language is system like human body. Language functions through sound, words and
structure

4. Language is vocal

o The language is primarily observed speech . speech is the fundamental thing in


language learning, reading, and writing are secondary

5. Ever changing

o Every language is undergoing changes in it’s grammar, vocabulary, structure with the
course of time

6. Language is for communication

o It is used for self-expression, verbal thinking. We cannot communicate in any real sense
without language.

7. Language is unique

o Each language is unique. No two language are alike. They cannot have a same set of
patterns of structure, sound, grammatical rules or words

8. Language is made of habits

o A language is learnt by use and not by rules learning a language is a process of habit
formation

9. Language is based on cultural experiences

o Every language is the product of a particular society and culture.

10. Language is Arbitrary

o The relationship between word and meaning is arbitrary.


o There is no relationship between the words and it’s meaning.
o Example :
 ‘Bhasha’ = Hindi
 ‘Zaban’ = Urdu
 ‘Language’ = English

Functions of Language

- Informative Function : the main purpose of language is to communicate information.


- Expressive Function : language is used to express feelings emotion or attitudes and exoke
similar feelings in the reader.
- Directive Function : when a person wants another person or group of person to perform an
action or to prevent action the directive function of language is used.
- Interpretative Function : the major function of language is to help the organism to interpret and
organize cognitive experiences and position them in one’s cognitive world.
- Function of Remembering and Thinking : language helps us to encode experiences and translate
them into thought, store them and engage in processes of different types.
- Social Function : the way we use language to communicate with others in the social
setting and developing a sense of social indentity.
- Creative Functions : language contributes to the emergence of very ‘creative’ delusions and
belief systems in the mind of humans.

Conclusion

- Language plays a very important role in human life. Therefore it is impossible to think of any
place or situation in life where one can function without the help of language.

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