The Language,

The Learner and

The Curriculum
CHAPT
ER 1
 Lesson 1
NATURE OF
LANGUAGE
Lesson Targets
Demonstrate content knowledge on the
01 nature of language using graphic organizers.

Identify the words to be used in order to

02 make peace with others.

Cite situations to explain each nature of

03 language.
Ice breaker
Having English as International Language and Filipino as
National Language, Philippines is embraced by many
languages or dialects from its islands or provinces. It is
natural for every Filipino to be able to speak and
understand more than one language. In this activity, let’s
try to find out how many languages you can speak.
Enumerate the languages or dialects which you could
either speak or understand. Try to speak in the class any
language/ dialect you understand.
Language
"Language is the expression of ideas by means of speech-sounds
combined into words. Words are combined into sentences, this
combination answering to that of ideas into thoughts." - Henry Sweet

"A language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols by means of which a

social group cooperates." - Bernard Bloch and George L. Trager

"A language is a system of signs for encoding and decoding information."

- Wikipedia

"Language refers to the cognitive faculty that enables humans to learn

and use systems of complex communication."
 Nature of Language
Language is a system of signs that we use in communicating with ourselves and with
one another. The signs are speech-sounds, as illustrated by the first definition.
However, language also has written signs which are the alphabets that we use in
writing. Therefore, communication, in any language, is only possible because of the
linguistic symbols that function according to some rules and conventions. . Language
is what enables us to utter distinct sounds, join them into words, and into meaningful
sentences for the purpose of communicating our ideas and thoughts. Language is
connected with the mental process of understanding. Communication is only possible
because of the mental process of encoding and decoding information.

Language is a powerful instrument of expression and emotional demonstration. It

staged the evolution of philosophy, knowledge, sciences etc. It has oral and written
forms. It follows certain grammatical structures distinct to each group or culture.
These structures are open for innovations and new formations. It has the ability to
adapt to new changes brought by time and space and if not, it ends up to extinction.
 Characteristics of
Language
Language is a medium of communication.
Language is a tool for communication and dissemination of ideas, information and emotions. It links and
connects various generations and groups of people and helps in the transmission of knowledge. As a form of
communication, Language helps people interact and share with each other, ideas, feelings, opinions, etc.

Language is a social construction.

People are interdependent of one another. Language then, becomes an instrument in the mutual creation
of relationships. Because it is used in communication, it helps human develop mutual understanding, form
groups and maintain organizations.

Language is a system of sounds.

Language is composed of different sounds. As spoken or oral language, speech is mainly used in daily
conversation and is the pioneer of the written form. The world has formed many languages and many of
them were used orally and were not yet written.
 Characteristics of
Language
Language is symbolic.
Language consists of symbols that represent things and ideas. This process is called signification
which means that words or symbols represent real things and ideas. The meanings of words on the other
hand are obtained through the process called symbolic representation.

Language is systematic.
It has arrangement, structure and array of sounds and symbols. This is called as system of sub-
structures which refers to grammar, syntax or morphology which has a wide range of words depending on
parts, numbers, genders, tenses, etc.

Language evolves and follows conventions.

Language is passed and handed down from generations to generations with a system of principles
and rules. It adapts and changes with time in order to survive.
Characteristics of
Language
Language is arbitrary.
Language changes forms and meanings with different ages and groups. This is shown by the
variations of structure, sounds and meanings in different languages. Words have no inherent relation
to the objects, people, commands they stand for but different sounds may convey the same meaning
and similar sounds may convey different meanings.

Language is creative.
Language offers a space for individuals to form concepts and ideas and to share them with
others. This enables people to discuss and communicate with each other to share and produce
knowledge and ideas. It also has the ability to create sentences never heard or uttered before.
 Language and
Communication
Communication is a process whereby there is exchange of information between the sender
and the receiver. This information can be transmitted via any of the methods such as a scent,
song, gestures, tone, writing, painting, or language. Language is a symbolic form of
communication. Although there are other communication systems, but these do not form the
true languages. For example, many bees can use elaborate dances to tell other bees where
the food is, or birds have different songs or calls to attract mates or broadcast territorial
boundaries. But these communication systems can send only such very particular messages,
and cannot be considered as a language system. To be considered language, a number of
different characteristics should be met.
 Language and Speech
Language is the communication of feelings and thoughts through a system of particular
signals like sounds, voice, written symbols, and gestures. It could be human languages, sign
languages, or computer languages which use codes while speech is a single concept. Speech
is the act of expressing or the faculty of describing feelings and thoughts or perceptions by
words, something spoken or vocal communication. It is the physical process used to verbalize
language. Speech is created by vocabularies, syntax, and a set of sound units which involves
articulation, voice and fluency. Languages express the idea that needs to be communicated
while speech is the process which shows how the message needs to be communicated.
 Structure of Language
Phonemes Morphemes Semantics
Phonology is the study of sounds Morphemes are the smallest Semantics concerns the meanings
of a language. Phonemes are the meaningful units in a language. of words, signs, symbols, and the
smallest distinguishable units in a In the English language, only a phrases that represent them.
language. In the English few single letters, such as I and More specifically, it is the study of
language, many consonants, such a, are morphemes. Morphemes meanings through the
as t, p, and m, correspond to are usually whole words or relationships of words, how they
single phonemes, while other meaningful parts of words, are used, and how they are said.
such as prefixes, suffixes, and
consonants, such as c and g, can
word stems.
correspond to more than one
phoneme. Vowels typically
Syntax – Syntax is a system of Pragmatics
rules that governs how words Pragmatics is concerned with the
correspond to more than one
can be meaningfully arranged use of language in social contexts
phoneme. No human language
to form phrases and sentences. and the ways in which people
uses all the sounds humans can
For example, one rule of syntax produce and comprehend meanings
make. Moreover, the number of
is that an article such as “the” through language. Pragmatics is
phonemes varies with each must come before a noun, not concerned with practical language
language. For example, English after: “Read the book,” not use and comprehension. It is
has 46; Italian has 27; Hawaiian “Read book the.” concerned with intended rather than
has 13 and the so on.
literal meaning.
 Let’s Find Out What You Have
Learned
The following situations support each nature or characteristic of
language. Identify the situation which is appropriate to the given item
• Language is a medium of
A. To respond to the needs of time, radio adapted to television. As how communication.
its function and nature were combined, so as the words from radio and
television become teleradio. • Language is a social
B. The young gentleman talks to the lady to get to know her. He tried to construction.
tell jokes to build rapport.
C. Blind people use brail to read while deaf and mute use sign language
to communicate. • Language is a system of sounds.
D. The coach conducted an orientation about the sports meet and gave
some tips on how to win the games. • Language is symbolic
E. Words may have different spelling but may have the same
pronunciation such as tail and tale same with sight and site.
• Language evolves and follows
F. In the present situation, many words were created for the beauty of
sounds and manner of articulation. Many are common to the third sex
conventions.
who forms a different word to mean the same thing. Such examples are
charoot, churva, etc • Language is arbitrary
G. Slip in American means to fall while in German it means underwear.
When you’re in US, you go to a toilet which we call comfort room in the • Language is creative
Philippines.
 TO SUM IT UP !

The structure of language tells us not only about the letters, words and symbols but
also about the manner how these letters, words and symbols are delivered and how
they are used to convey meanings. Kindness and politeness as well as sarcasm and
anger can be expressed with the same words but different intonation and voice. It is
therefore very important to observe our manner of speaking in order to clearly express
the feelings and ideas we wanted to convey.
Thank you for
attentive
listening!