"The five characteristics of language are that it is a system, it is dynamic, has dialects, is sociolect,

and idiolect. A language is systemic in that it has different linguistic levels, is syntactical,
conversational, and sociolinguistic. It is dynamic in that the words and phrases may change meaning
from one generation to the next. Dialects are variations of the same language spoken amongst
people of the same or different countries. Language may vary based on the speaker's social class,
and human individuality."

CG45 
Language and the Mind 
Some Characteristics of Human Language

 
Psychological
Language
Elements Properties Functions Processes/System
Systems
s (Modules?)
Phones  Automatized Communication  Phonology Speech perception 

Phonemes  Learnable  Entertainment  Morphology  Word segmentation 

Syllables  Arbitrary  Ritual  Syntax  Lexicon 

Morphemes  Conventional  Persuasion  Semantics  Lexical access 

Words  Discrete  Instruction  Pragmatics  Parsing 

Grammatical Open  Intimidation  Prosody Speech production 

categories 
Creative  Emotional
Phrases  Expression 
Hierarchically
Utterances  combinatoric  Thinking 

Sentences  Discrete infinity 

Conversational Semantic 
Turns 
Duality of
Discourses patterning 

Lexical/Functiona
l symbols

Language functions
By Kamil Wiśniewski, July, 31st, 2007

Using a language as a primary means of communicating our thoughts is so natural for many
people that it is often difficult to realize what in fact are language functions. Some of the roles of
language are so mundane that they are hardly ever noticed, others are very elevated, or even
abstract. Due to their diversity the functions of language might be divided into two
categories: micro functionswhich refer to specific individual uses, and macro functions which
serve more overall aims.

MICRO FUNCTIONS:

 Physiological function (releasing physical and nervous energy)

Although it might be striking this use of language is fairly common. It is easily recognizable
when devoted fans of sports are observed while watching their favourite discipline on TV. Such
fans often shout instructions, express support, or disappointment and while as a means of
communicating with sportsmen they are useless, such cheers are to release repressed energy.
Similarly curse words are used to serve this purpose, as they rarely convey any meaning and are
only to make the speaker feel better.

 Phatic function (for sociability)

The use of such phrases as ‘nice day today’, or ‘how do you do’ is characterized by lack of any
informative content and is intended to link people and make the coexistence peaceful and
pleasant. The phatic use of language is characteristic mainly of speech, however, in certain types
of writing it can also be noticed, as in letters for example, where the beginning Dear
Sir/Madam  and endingYours faithfully also serve that purpose.

 Recording function

Recording function denotes using language to make a durable record of things that ought to be
remembered. Owing to its omnipresence writing is probably the most significant function of
language. There is evidence that the first writing system was developed in the Middle East as
early as 4000 BC. At the beginning writing systems took forms of pictures representing the
things they referred to, gradually developing into the alphabets in their present forms.

 Identifying function

Language is used also to identify the objects and events in the world we live in. Without this
function language would be almost useless, as it is thanks to the names of things that we know
what is talked about. Many primitive societies unable to write believe that names hold great
power. Even in western culture names are thought to be immensely important: the God’s name
ought not to be used in vain, before giving a name to a newborn child parents consider the choice
deeply. We use names to classify different types of things, whether we call a car anautomobile, a
lorry, a van or a truckmakes a big difference.
  Reasoning function (instrument of thought)

Before we say something we think and to do that we necessarily use language. In most cases it is
extremely difficult to think about anything without any use of words. In fact is it also difficult
not to think for a longer period of time as human brains work all the time processing information,
thus providing us with concepts formulated by means of language.

 Communicating function

This function would probably be pointed at by most language users without major consideration.
Indeed it is in all likelihood most commonly used language function by majority of speakers.
Requesting, apologizing, informing, ordering as well as promising and refusing are all reasons
for communicating our ideas.

 Pleasure functions

The fact that language often gives pleasure both to the speakers and listeners is not only
supported by the frequent use of assonance, alliteration and onomatopoeia in poetry.
Depending on the sounds of languages some are perceived as being mild as English for example,
others crude as German. People also derive pleasure from unusual use of syntactic rules, as well
as novelties of meanings juxtapositions and language games, which is often used by skilful
writers.

MACRO FUNCTIONS:

 Ideational function

Ideational function refers to the conceptualizing process involved in our mental activities.
Thanks to language we are able to understand what happens around us.

 Interpersonal function

Interpersonal function emphasizes that language is mainly a social phenomenon, but apart from
enabling communication with other people it enables to project the speaker in the desired way
and to represent the speaker.

 Poetic function

Here, the word poetic does not refer to the ability to write poetry, but the ability to manipulate
language in a creative way. With the use of jokes and metaphors we can play with words and
meanings simply for joy.

 Textual function
Textual competence refers to our ability to create long utterances or pieces of writing which are
both cohesive and coherent. Unlike animals people, by use of certain linguistic devices, are able
to produce long sentences and text, and not only simple phrases.

The above mentioned functions are only one point of view on language. Most certainly there are
many other functions that natural languages fulfill, yet depending on approach to this issue the
number of functions and their names might vary.