Definition of Language

According to Allen, “Language  acts as a means of communicating thoughts”.

According to N. Chomsky, “A Language is a set of sentences, each finite in length and constructed with a finite set of elements”.

According to Henry Sweet, “Language may be defined as the expression of thought by means of speech sounds.”

Nature of Language:

1. Language is a complex whole
2. It has clearly a kind of control on words
3. It involves oral communication
4. It is always rational
5. It is dynamic in nature - New words are added and old are removed.
6. It is acquired and not biologically inherit it is learnt from the environment and not inhereted.
7. It is an arrangement of oral and written signs, symbols and words.
8. It is a means to communicate one’s  thoughts, feelings and experiences.
9. It has four forms -
   • Listening
   • Speaking
   • Reading
   • Writing
10. Symbols of Language are arbitrary in nature - There is no logical relationship between object   and its name.
11. It is a system of symbols, alphabets and words.