Language? by Latif Ur Rahman

Language is a principal means used by human beings to communicate with one another. Language is primarily spoken, although it can be transferred to other media, such as writing. If the spoken means of communication are unavailable, as may be the case among the deaf, visual means such as sign language can be used. A prominent characteristic of language is that the relation between a linguistic sign and its meaning is arbitrary: There is no reason other than convention among speakers of English that a dog should be called a dog, and indeed other languages have different names (for example, Spanish Perro, Russian sobaka, Japanese inu). Language can be used to discuss a wide range of topics, a characteristic that distinguishes it from animal communication.

The word language is derived from LATIN word “lingua” which means “tongue” which is used in the sense of the sounds produced due to tongue. Language is a system of signs (indices, icons, symbols) for encoding and decoding information.

Language is a human system of communication that uses arbitrary signals, such as voice, sound, gestures, or written symbols. Language is a means of expressing our thoughts and dreams, prayers and meditations, relation, and communications rituals. It is a storehouse of knowledge. It is an instrument of thinking as well as a source of delight (e.g. singing). And the scientific study of language is called linguistics.

Function and Purpose
Function: A function is a way of describing “how it is used”, the function can be short-phrase as well as a single word.

Some of the essential functions of Language:

1. Informational Language:  The informational function is assumed important by everyone because this function concentrates on the message. It is used to give information. It depends on truth and value.
Examples: The car is big. The bus is crowded or He comes from Agra to college.

2. Expressive Function: Expressive function of language can be used to express the emotions of the speaker. In this sort of language, the originator tries to express its feelings and attitude, swear words and exclamations are the most obvious instances of this function. The best example of an expressive function is poetry and literature.
Examples: Hurrah! I win the competition.
Oh shit! I forgot to bring my notebook.

3. Directive Function: The directive function is commonly found in requests or maybe, it can develop a logic of command in the speech. It is used for causing an action or preventing overt actions.
Example: Close the door. Write an application. Drive the car. etc.

4. Phatic Function: It is also called Affirming function. It is used for general social interaction rather than to convey a specific meaning. It is a function of keeping the communication lines open and keeping social relationships in good repair. We can say that it is for normal talks. For instance, when two people meet each other accidentally in a place, they start their talk about something unimportant for the sake of communication.
Example: Nice morning, isn’t it?

Definitions by Prominent Linguists
In past times the word ‘language’ was used in Middle English, which was due to the influence of Old French ‘language’, based on Latin lingua 'tongue'. According to the Oxford Collocations Dictionary, “Language is the method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way.”
At different times, many linguists have given many definitions in their own perspectives. Some of them are given below:
1.      According to The English Language from Sound to Sense by Gerald P. Delahunty & James J. Garvey, “Language is a system that connects thoughts, which cannot be heard, seen, or touched, with sounds, letters, manual signs, or tactile symbols (e.g., Braille) which can.”
2.      According to a book by Henry Sweet (1845 - 1912) The History of Language 1921:  Language may be defined as, “the expression of thoughts by means of speech sounds.”
3.      According to Albert C Bough and Thomas Cable (A History of English Language 1951): “The medium by speakers of a language communicate their thoughts and feelings to others, the tool with which they conduct their business or the government of millions of people, the vehicle by which has been transmitted the science, the philosophy, the poetry of the culture is surely worthy of study.”
4.      According to Edward Sapir (1888-1939), “Language is a purely human and non-instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions, and desires by means of voluntarily produced symbols.”
(Language, An Introduction to the study of Speech)
5.      According to Otto Jespersen (Danish Linguist, 1860-1943), “Language is a set of human habits, the purpose of which is to give expression to thoughts and feelings.”
6.      According to A. H. Gardiner, “Language in its widest sense means the sum total of such signs of our thoughts and feelings as are capable of external perception and as could be produced and repeated at will.”