According to Alwasilah (1983: 76-81), language has
some characteristics as follows:
1. Language is a system
It means that language is regulated by a system
namely rule or pattern. In every language the rule can be seen in: (a) system
of sound and (b) system of meaning
2. Language
is arbitrary
It means that language is selected at random and without
reason. There is no logical correlation between the word as a symbol and
something that is symbolized.
3. Language is a sound
Language is utterance. The most important thing is
that language can be identified in the form of sounds.
4. Language is a symbol
Firstly, it is needed to differentiate between
symbol and sign. Symbol refers to the object that the relationship is
arbitrary. But sign refers to the object that the relationship is
non-arbitrary. Language is the symbol of the human’s feeling, idea, want, hope.
In the other words, language is the symbol of human life.
5. Language refers to itself
A language can be called a true language if it is
able to analyze the language itself. Like linguistics, it uses language to
analyze language scientifically.
6. Language is humane
All about language is humane. It means that only
human has languages, but the others do not.
7. Language is communication
Language is a means to communicate and interact
socially. In human society communication is a basic necessity.
