THE IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE

Why is language important? 

People use languauage to communicate.

Language is an essential component of human connection. Although many species communicate in their own ways, humans are the only ones who have achieved cognitive language communication. Language enables us to communicate our ideas, emotions, and feelings to others. It can develop and destroy societies. It may appear obvious, but if you are wondering, why is language important? To properly grasp why, you will need to break it down. 

Language is what distinguishes us as humans. It is how individuals communicate. Learning a language entail mastering a complicated system of vocabulary, structure, and syntax to effectively communicate with others. 

Language comes effortlessly to most individuals. Even before we can talk, we learn how to communicate, and as we get older, we learn how to manipulate language to truly represent what we want to say with words and complex sentences. Of course, not all communication is done through language, but learning a language surely helps. Language is significant for a variety of reasons. 

Language is so important to culture and society

Language allows us to convey our feelings and thoughts; it is unique to our species since it allows us to express different concepts and practices within different civilizations and societies. 

You can understand concepts and thoughts that are distinct from your own culture by learning a foreign language. You can learn about customs and how people interact in other societies. Language not only helps to maintain civilizations, but it also allows us to learn about others and easily disseminate ideas. 

Language is so important to business

The value of language in business cannot be overstated. We cannot discuss ideas or expand them into something bigger if we do not have language. Language is essential, whether it is studying a foreign language to communicate thoughts with individuals from distant countries or simply knowing how to use language to master an interview, demand presence in a room, or network with others. 

Language is important to individuals and development

Humans all learn to talk at different rates, and seeing when a youngster begins to use language might indicate how well they are progressing. However, this is not limited to infants. It also applies to young children learning a second language at school that is different from the language they speak at home, adults learning a second language, and individuals who have lost their language due to an accident and are working to restore it. 

Language is so important for personal communication 

Though much of human communication is nonverbal (with gestures, expressions, tones, and emotions, we can demonstrate our thoughts, feelings, and ideas), language is crucial for personal communication. Whether it is talking to your friends, your partner, or your family, having a common language is essential for these types of connections. 

Basic functions of language 

The primary function of language is communication. It enables us to convey our thoughts, ideas, and feelings to others as rapidly as possible. However, we can gain a better understanding of language by examining its fundamental functions

1.Informative functions

When we utilize language to communicate information, we are using its informative function. Its primary duty is to educate others by properly stating facts. 

2. Expressive function 

People use language to express themselves.

The expressive function is another fundamental function of language. It is used to communicate oneself by providing means to convey one's feelings, emotions, and attitudes to another person (or oneself). 

3.Directive function

3. 
   

The directive function of language is a fundamental feature that allows us to direct or order others. For example, it allows us to tell ourselves or others what to do in any given situation. 

Several types of language

Aside from language functions, there are several varieties of language and ways to perceive language in general. Being able to distinguish between these will help you grasp why language is so important. 

1.Oral v.s written language 

[ Picture adapted from: https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-oral-communication-and-written-communication.html]

Oral communication, in general, is spoken language used to converse with people. Written language is all about expressing thoughts by writing them down. 

Oral communication is typically more informal and faster, whereas written communication is more formal and slower. 

2.Connotative v.s Denotative language 

Words have a lot of meaning, and the meaning changes depending on the circumstance. This is why we have denotative and connotative meaning. 

Denotative meaning refers to the literal definition/intention of the word, but connotative meaning refers to when words have positive or bad connotations. As an example, consider the words "home" versus "house." "House" is denotative since it is the literal name for this type of structure in which someone may reside, whereas "home" is connotative because it implies a refuge, family, security, and so on. Understanding the distinction can help you comprehend the aim of words. 

Six elements of language

There are six elements of language 

1.Clarity

Using language in such a way that the intended audience fully comprehends your views; that your ideas are clearly.

2.Economy

Being 'economic' in your speech by minimizing superfluous jargon. This implies using exactly the words that are essential and appropriate to convey oneself while avoiding using terminology that your audience would not comprehend. This means avoiding fluff or complex jargon. 

3.Obscenity

This refers to "indecent language," which includes swear words and derogatory statements.

4.Obscure Language/Jargon

This is a highly technical language that your audience will not grasp because they are unfamiliar with what you are discussing. This could be when your vehicle mechanic describes what is wrong with your car, but you are not a mechanic and do not understand what they are saying. 

5.Power

This is when someone utilizes words to exert influence over another person to manipulate, compel, or persuade them to do something. It could also be to establish yourself as an authority figure in the room. 

6.Variety

This is a speaker's capacity to convey ideas successfully and creatively by combining all sorts of language. 

Different language styles

There are many distinct types of language to fit what the speaker wishes to say. While some are unique to a person's personality, some speakers may adopt certain styles depending on the situation, even if it is not how they speak. 

1.Direct and indirect styles 

Direct is a manner of using language to tell someone exactly what you want to say and/or how you feel. 

Indirect language refers to the use of other words or forms of communication to suggest that you may be feeling a certain way, but without explicitly stating why or what. If you have argued with a significant other, you have encountered both linguistic types. 

2. Personal and contextual styles 

These two languages are a little more complicated. Personal style, in general, refers to an individual's personal way of speaking, casual, and focused on that individual. 

Contextual styles refer to how language changes depending on the context of a situation. A professor, for example, may employ a personal style while interacting with friends and colleagues and a contextual style when lecturing their pupils.

3. Untranslatable words 

Untranslatable words are words or phrases that we must adapt from other languages since we do not have a word in our own language that conveys the same thing. Because we do not have a proper translation, we say "Bon Appetit!" as an example. 

Using language effectively 

Language provides numerous benefits to humans, yet it can also be troublesome when utilized ineffectively. This is why it is critical to be aware of how you use words in each setting.

1. Use appropriate language

Using suitable language does not simply mean avoiding vulgar language (though there may be instances when that is appropriate for the situation!). It entails utilizing language that your target audience will understand, relate to, and engage with. 

2.Use vivid language 

To utilize vivid language, you must use imagery to convey things as vividly as possible. It could imply utilizing additional adjectives or onomatopoeia to explain your point. 

3.Use inclusive language 

The use of inclusive language is using language that does not exclude anyone. For example, instead of using "he or she" to address an audience, use "they" to include persons who do not identify with a specific gender. It also means avoiding language that is racist, sexist, misogynist, nasty, arrogant, biased, and so on. 

Language is changing along with the culture 

When discussing themes such as inclusive language, it is clear to see how language is developing alongside culture today. With technology comes new methods of speech, such as how many youths or young people utilize slang when conversing. We begin to recognize that there are many other ways to speak language as civilizations become more open-minded and progressive. 

Many of us understand why language is essential, yet we often take it for granted or do not think about it. Language is a vital life skill, especially at school and at work.