Question

explain language as a symbolic system

Answer 1

Language is a system of symbols and rules that enable us to communicate (Harley, 2001). The symbols used inlanguage can include speech sounds as well as writing; while the rules include grammar (e.g. Pronouns, tense), parsing, pragmatics. ...Language provides context forsymbolic understanding.

Answer 2

Language is a system of symbols and rules that enable us to communicate (Harley, 2001). The symbols
used in language can include speech sounds as well as writing; while the rules include grammar (e.g.
Pronouns, tense), parsing, pragmatics. There is an arbitrary relationship between a linguistic symbol
and its referent. Language provides context for symbolic understanding. The use of language is
intimately connected to cognition.
Much of the information that we gather comes from either spoken or written language. We also use
language to ask questions, explain any conclusions, clarify problems, and so on. Furthermore language
processing is affected by other cognitive processes such as perception, attention, and memory; and also
is used in other cognitive processes such as thinking, planning, reasoning, and making decisions. Some
language processing appears automatic, which is carried out without awareness or intention; while some
language processing is performed intentionally and with effort.
There are approximately 3000-6000 distinct languages that are spoken by humans, and approximately
250 language families, such as the Indo European language family, or the Sino-Tibetan language family.
95% of the world’s people speak fewer than 100 of the 6000 different languages, whereas the last 5%
of the world’s people speak thousands discrete languages with few speakers. Mandarin alone accounts
for about 1 in every 5 people on earth. If we add English, Hindi, Spanish and Russian the figure jumps
to 45%. Some of these languages are disappearing due to various reasons such as hostility and
repression from dominant governments, and high speed transportation and communication. Every
language has its own way of encoding and expressing human experience, and an entire way of thinking
is lost each time a language becomes extinct.
It is important to differentiate between 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.
Characteristics of Language
Discrete and Re-combin