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LESSON: 2
NATURE and
CHARACTERISTICS
of LANGUAGE
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IMPORTANCE OF
LANGUAGE?
• Language is an essential human attribute, a gift that sets us a
part from other creatures.
• It use in all aspect of life: thinking, talking, writing, problem-
solving, and building relationships.
• It helps us transfer knowledge, record discoveries, and maintain
society.
• Without language, society is unthinkable.

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THE NATURE OF
LANGUAGE

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 The
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In its basic constitution, the nature of language is described as:
1. Learned
2. Related to the culture of society
3. Species-specific, uniformed and unique to human
4. System
5. Vocal
6. Skill subject
7. Means for communication
8. arbitrary

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1. Language
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Humans are naturally programmed to acquire language but must learn. Language
learning starts with parents, then schooling, and later through media and daily
interactions. Every interaction such as reading, social media, is an opportunity to
acquire language. Humans can learn many languages if they are interested and
motivated. Language is something that is learned through exposure and practice.
Although the language is genetically programmed in our brain to make distinctions of
the different sounds, things, activities, and notions language acquisitions produced
through active learning and repetitive interactions. (Perry, 2020)
Language learning, therefore, is behavioral, imitative, and learned through effort.

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2. Language
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CULTURE OF SOCIETY
Language is deeply tied to society and culture. People who share
the same language share common values, identity, and ways of
thinking. Gestures, expressions, and even body language become
meaningful within cultural orientation. Language influences culture
(values, practices, interest), and culture influences language such
as new words, and expressions. Language builds the foundation
of social identity and collective development.
Example: Watching K-dramas can influence language and non-
verbal expressions. (Getting “koreanized”)
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3. Language
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UNIFORMED, and UNIQUE TO HUMAN
Language is HUMAN
- Edward Sapir
Language is a unique human attribute that sets people apart from animals, as
humans are capable of acquiring and producing it creatively through the brain’s
specialized functions. While animals can communicate through sounds, or
signals, their systems are limited and instinctive, unlike human language, which is
systematic, symbolic, and capable of expressing abstract ideas.
According to Chomsky (1975), the human brain-specifically the left hemisphere-
makes humans capable of creative and systematic language use, unlike animals.

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4. Language
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Language is described as a system of systems, much like mathematics, requiring
careful analysis to understand. It is made up of sounds, structures, symbols, and
meanings that work together to form words, phrases, and sentences, which then
express ideas and thoughts. Linguistic units are interdependent, meaning each
element contributes to the whole system.
Noam Chomsky (1975) believe that language is a controlled-noise. The sounds
form their own system as numerous sounds function systematically. In the same
manner, language is a set of organized and boundless sentences, constructed out
of a definite set of elements. With a language system of syntactic structures, words
are formed and meaning is created.
Non-verbal signs such as gestures and facial expressions also play a role in
communication. Ultimately, language as a system allows humans to organize
thoughts and convey meaning clearly and effectively.
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5. Language
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Language is oral. Speech is primary, writing is

secondary. Language is primarily vocal, meaning it is
first spoken before being written. Speech is the
fundamental form of language, while writing serves to
preserve it. Throughout history, humans have
communicated through sounds before developing
written systems, and even today, spoken language is
used more frequently that written words.

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6. Language
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Learning a language is acquiring skills. The macro skills-

listening and viewing, speaking, reading, and writing – are
categorized into receptive and expressive language skills.
These skills are divided into receptive (understanding
messages) and expressive (conveying messages). Mastery
comes from constant practice, exposure, and formal
instruction, allowing learners to gain communicative
competence and linguistic proficiency.

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7. Language
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COMMUNICATION

Language is a means for communication, serving as

the primary tool for humans to convey messages and
interact. It is essential for social connection and
cooperation, making it a foundation of human society
and culture.

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8. Language
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Language is arbitrary in the sense that language meanings existed as

they are. There are no plausible explanation or inherent relation as to
how meanings are assigned to each letter, symbol, or word. There is
no scientific principle that underlie the naming of symbols. It is a
matter of convention. The availability of the words is guided by no
purpose.
Language, therefore, is a structure of conventional symbols. Each
symbol embodies a stretch of sounds with which a sense could be
associated. If language was not randomly created, there could only
be one language in the entire world; fixed and unchanged.

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CHARACTERISTIC
OF LANGUAGE

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CHARACTERISTIC
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Language is characterized according to its

distinguishing qualities. These include
conventionality and non- instinctive,
productivity, and creativity, duality,
displacement, humanness, and
universality.

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CONVENTIONAL
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Language is conventional, meaning it follows agreed-upon

rules and practices within a community. Words, symbols and
meanings only make sense because people collectively
understand them. Language evolves and adapts with time-
new generations may create forms and styles.
Language is not instinctive(not something we are born
knowing). Instead, it is learned through interaction and
socialization.

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PRODUCTIVITY
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“ A rose by another name would smell as sweet”

-William Shakespeare

Language is productive, meaning it can generate countless

expressions and ideas. It is creative, as people can make
new sentences and meanings without strict limits. With
language one word or idea can lead to another, creating
endless possibilities for expression.
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DUALITY
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Language duality is what gives language expressive power

since meaningless sounds are combined according to rules
to form meaningful words (Luden, 2016).

Example: the sounds /c/, /a/, /t/ don’t mean anything alone,
but together from cat, which has meaning.

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DISPLACEMENT
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“ No matter how eloquently a dog may bark, he cannot tell you that
his parents were poor but honest”
- Bertrand Russell
In this characteristics language allows us to talk about things beyond
the present-the past, future, or even imaginary situations. Unlike
animal communication, which is tied to immediate contexts (like
danger or food), humans can speak of things not physically present.
Example: You can talk about what you ate yesterday, your dream for
tomorrow, or even life on Mars

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HUMANESS
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Language is innate to human beings. No species other than humans

gifted with language. Language has complex structures of sounds
and meanings, which animals could not comprehend. A cow’s moo
today is similar to the moos centuries ago. Human language is
changeable and extendable.
Although animal could communicate with each other, it is limited to
signs and sounds. Human could clearly distinguish concrete
identifiable symbols through the use of language however, animal
communication is often non-discrete.

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UNIVERSALITY
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Language is universal because it exists in all human communities.

While each language has its own style of sounds, vocabulary,
structure, all languages share common features known as linguistic
universals. For example, all languages have nouns, vowels, and
consonants, though arranged differently. Linguists identify two types
of universals:
• Absolute universal – features found in every language (e.g., all
language have vowels).
• Implicational universal – features that appear only in some
languages, depending on other characteristic.

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Thank
You!!!
To the people who worked so hard just to listen
and learn.

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