characteristics of language

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.