Understanding Language

Today it was investigated what are the factors that make up language. To better understand it, a new language was created with the options of having either actual words mixing in our previous knowledge of already existing ones and sign language, creating different combinations with our hands. Acting needed to be involved which included hand language to further understand what story a group is trying to communicate and express with their own language. This made me realize that not only words can make up a language but also sign language can help emphasize and transform a language into a more understandable form in which other people would be able to comprehend.

What is language?

Language is defined by the way we communicate with each other and send a message through the way of vocal, sign and written language. Distinguishable patterns of symbols and sounds is what makes communication happen and give it meaning. A language can still be a language even if no one speaks it as a language can also be communicated in a written form. The language can also go extinct in terms of the people who originally spoke it, however it can still carry on in different forms. Even if no one understands it, it can still be a language as new ones are made all the time that people dont know about as well as having your own personal language that you create and have the option to share with anyone else.

Discussion

In general, we do need to know the basic definition of a word to understand its meaning, but not literally, like from the dictionary but more from an experience or encounter. Words themselves randomly created dont have meaning until it's given an useful, purposeful meaning necessary to describe something. People claim younger generations dont use the language properly as the use of colloquial language as well as slang, abbreviations and different use of dialect.

Different ways of communicating language

There are other ways of communicating language, as it is a way of expressing yourself. Some of these include art, music, math and code. All of these are different types of ways one can express him/herself as it is something that can be learned and communicate in an understandable way between 2 or more people. All these different methods are social groups in which only people from that group can understand and share ideas, for example if you are a person who hasn't taken any classes in coding, you might not understand what someone who has been learning it for a while is typing.

Language distinguishes from the general idea of communication as every language has rules, a certain type of grammar, vocabulary and dialect. Whereas communication is more a basic way of expressing yourself in whatever way is effective for the comprehension of other people.