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Five (5) characteristics of language

1. Language is Arbitrary:

There’s no relationship between words and the concept they represent. E.g., the word

dog has no connection to the furry, four-legged animal it represents. Or “Ananse” to

the animal Spider.

2. Language is Productive (Creative):

Language can be constructed in a creative way either though music, poems or

speeches. E.g., is this quote “I will not let you walk through my mind with your feet

dirty” by Gandhi

3. Language is Interchangeable:

Language can be produced by one person and comprehend by another. E.g., Kwasi

can be the speaker and Akosua the listener or vise versal.

4. Language is Symbolic:

Symbols are used to communicate wide range of meaning and ideas. For instance, the

flag of Ghana is a symbol which talks about the struggle, mineral heritage and the

vegetation of the country.

5. Language is Culturaly Transmited:

Children learn language by interacting with their caregivers and the surrounding

community and because of that they get exposure to the language spoken in their

culture. Reference: Tomasello, M. (2003). Constructing a Language: A Usage-Based

Theory of Language Acquisition.

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