The words ‘language’ and ‘communication’ are used mutually.

We use both of them to mean

speaking to person to person.But these two terms have two different ideas.

Various definition of the language has been proposed by linguists. Language is a form, not the
substance ( Chaer Lyons 1995). While Chaer (1995) mentions the characteristics that constitute
the essence of language as a symbol of the sound system, are arbitrary, productive, dynamic,
diverse, and humane.

We all know every living thing doing their communication in a different way.Fish jumps
sometimes for sheer joy,birds to communicate a variety of purposes. Dogs bark, cats meow,
cows moo but we do not say they are engaging in language communication. These noices and
other interactions communicate or transfer information of some kind.And that is language
communication.Language is the highest form of intelligent interaction.And it’s reserved for
humans.No other living thing communicates verbally and that verbal communication to written
form as well.

Language indicates each of its nation, a parable once say so. If its meaning pondered deeper,
may make us wiser in understanding and addressing all cases that linked between language and
attitude or behavior of groups of speakers of the languages. (Alwi, 2004).

Language is a human activity.It is transmission of feeling and thoughts through sounds or

symbols, signs, gestures and posture that convey a certain meaning. Among all people language
is the primary means of communication.It is through language communication, spoken or written
that we are share to ideas , opinions , views and emotions with other people.
Where language is a tool communication is an experience.It described as an act of interchanging
ideas , informations of massage from one person or place to another.Communication can be
classified as verbal,non - verbal , written and visual.

According Gorys Keraf (1997:1), language is a means of ‘communication between members of

the community in the form of a symbol of sound produced by the speech organ. Perhaps there is
an objection by saying that the language is not the only tool for communication. They argue that
two persons or parties communicating by means of specific ways that have been agreed such as
through paintings, smoke, sound of drum or casks and so on. But they should also recognize that
when compared with the language, all communication devices before contains many weak
aspects.’

“Basically language has functions that are used according to the needs of a person.As a tool for
self-expression as a means to communicate, as a tool to organize and adapt to social integrations
in the environment or circumstance and as a tool for social control.”(Keraf , 1993 :3)

According to the Keraf, here are presented the role of language as a communication tool:

1. Language as a tool of interact with others – conditions of communication occurred is

need involvement of two or more person conducting talk to each other.
2. Language reflects a person’s level of education –An educated would be recalled better
than educated people.The higher person’s education the higher their speech wisdom.So,
educated people tend to interact with the environment that supports the use of language
quality than those who are less educated.
3. Indicates the person’s social standing – With language one can reflect on his position in
society.Diversity of the languages will certainly differ from one to another.It is
influenced by language acquisition from the environment.

In the process of communication language plays an important part.Indeed all the living beings in
the world communicate with in their own language.These two terms are so closely twist that
people cannot easily recognize their different and end up using them synonymously. But we can
see there are some difference between language and communication.

The points given below presents the difference between language and communication.

The system of communication which relies on the verbal or non verbal code used in transferring
information is called language.The way of interchanging messages or information between two
or more people is called communication.

A language is a tool of communication while communication is the process of transferring

message to one another.

Language focuses on the signs , symbols and words.Communication emphasis on the message.
Before the invention of written words, language was confined in to the auditory channel.
However it can occur in visual, tangible and other sensory channels too. On the other hand
communication occurs in all the sensory channels.

Language communication barriers.

When we talk about language barriers are in communication it becomes difficult in situations
where people don’t understand each other’s language.The inability to communicate using a
language is known as language barrier to communication.It can misunderstanding and
misinterpretations between people.

It may be ,

1. Difference in language.
2. Regional accent and dialects.
3. No clear speech.
4. Use of jargon and slang.
5. Word choice.
6. Literacy and linguistic ability.
7. Grammar and spelling.
Difference in language :- Difference in language is the most obvious barrier in communication as
two different people speaking two difference languages cannot communicate with each other.For
an example a Chinese goes to Sri Lanka. The person does not understand Sinhala and Sinhala do
not understand China.So when the person speaks the communication is worthless.

Regional accent and dialect :- The accent of dialects of people belongs to different places differs
even if their language is same. For example In Sri Lanka down south people and kandians are
communicate with different dielects.

No clear speech :- People who speak soft or small voice cannot be understood. The sender might
be saying something whereas the receiver might understand something else. This might also be a
cause of obstacle in communication.
Use of jargon and slang :- Jargon are the technical words used in communication. It might be
different according to different professions specialty and technical words of people. For example
technical used by doctors and lawyers are extreamly difference.

Word choice :- The choise of word used in describing anything must be considered before
communicating.Words with two meaning should always be avoided as it doesn’t send the proper
meaning and can be interpreted in anyway (homographs ,homophones should always be avoided
as it doesn’t send the proper meaning and can be interpreted in any way.

Literacy and linguistic ability :- Some people have low vocabulary in a particular
language.Though literacy and education increases the need to learn new words.It might not be
the only reason.Likewise linguistic ability is the capability of the person in a particular
language.If a person with high vocabulary and linguistic ability talks with another with low
ability , the second person will not understand the words used leading to miscommunication of
whole message.

Grammar and spelling :- Grammar and spelling become the barrier in communication as people
from different parts from the world can be using it differently even in a particular word.
Similarly,grammar and spellings mistakes create huge communication barrier in written
communication.

Language development with communication.

Human language is the most complex behavior on the planet.Language involves to both spoken
and written words and create words and also create communication in real time when we speak
or write.Most languages are oral generated through speaking. Speaking involves the variety of
complex cognitive , social and biological process with vocal cords coordination of breath and
movements of throat , mouth and tongue.

“ Language learning begins even before birth, because the fetus can hear muffled versions of
speaking from outside the womb. Moon, Cooper, and Fifer (1993) found that infants only two
days old sucked harder on a pacifier when they heard their mothers’ native language being
spoken than when they heard a foreign language, even when strangers were speaking the
languages. Babies are also aware of the patterns of their native language, showing surprise when
they hear speech that has a different patterns of phonemes than those they are used to (Saffran,
Aslin, & Newport, 2004).”

Language is a fundamental to our ability to think and without it we would be near as intelligent
as we are. Phonemes, morphemes, syntax and contextual information are the main terms in
begining of the language.

Phoneme is the smallest unit of sound that makes a meaningful difference in a language. Ex :-
The word “bit” has three phonemes /b/ ,/i/ , /t/ phonemes are produced by the vocal tract ,
including our lips , teeth , tongue , vocal cords and throat .

Morpheme is a string of one or more phonemes that makes up the smallest units of meaning in a
language.

Sytax is the set of rules of a language by which we construct sentences.

Contextual information are information surrounding language .

Above all theories , methods and language skills emphasis about how language is important to
communication. Language is essentially a means of communication among all the members of
society. In a conclusion language can be analyzed and described under several criteria , coming
to the most different result.Language is an actor that both shapes and is shaped by the social
community in which it plays a significant role.Through the language of the person , his
interlocutor can usually tell the background of the speaker.
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