What is language?

Webster's New World Dictionary offers several most frequently used senses of the word"language",namely,[1](a)human speech;(b)the ability to communicate by this means;(c)a system of vocal sounds and combinations of such sounds to which meaning is attributed,used for the expression or communication of thought and feelings;(d)the written representation of such a system;[2](a)any means of expressing or communicating,as gestures,signs,or animal sounds;

(b)a special set of of symbols,letters,numerals,rules etc.used for the transmission of information,as in a computer;...(p.759)Suffice it to say here that though we use the word in its various senses,we focus here on its primary sense:namely[1]（a）,（b）,（c）,（d）.

To give the barest of definition,language is a means of verbal communication.It is instrumental in that communicating by speaking or writing is a purposeful act.It is social and conventional in that language is a social semiotic and communication can only take place effectively if all the users share a broad understanding of human interaction including such associated factors as nonverbal cues,motivation,and socio-cultural roles.Language learning and use,are determined by the intervention of biological,cognitive,psychosocial,and environmental factors.In short,language distinguishes us from animals because it is far more sophisticated than any animal communication system.（reproduction of material without witten permission is strictly prohibited）

韦氏的新世界字典（Webster's New World Dictionary)提供了“语言”的几种最常见的定义,即，[1](a)人类的言语；（b）

通过言语来交流的能力；（c）用来表达或交流思想和感觉的一套声音及这些声音互相结合的系统；（d）系统的文字表达；[2](a)表达或交流的任何方式，如手势，标记，或动物的声音；（b）符号，字母，数字，规则等的特殊集合，用来传达信息，比如用在计算机中等；简单而言，尽管这个词有各种意义，但这里我们关注的焦点是语言的基本涵义，即，[1](a)(b)(c)(d).

一个最简单的定义就是，语言是言语交流的一种方式。因为说和写的交流方式是一种有目的的行为，所以语言是实用性的；因为语言是社会符号，语言的交流只能在所有参与者广泛理解了人类的那些非语言的暗示，动机，社会文化角色等等互相关联的因素之后才能有效进行，因此语言又是社会的，约定俗成的。语言的学习和使用取决与生物学的，认知的，心理的和环境的因素，语言比其他任何动物的交流系统都要复杂得多，语言使人类区别于动物。（以上是关于语言的相关解释，未经允许，禁止转载）

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