There is a growing body of literature that recognizes the importance of language to humanity. This article introduces what language is and explains why accurate transmission of language must be passed down from one generation to the next. Before explaining these theories, it is necessary to explore the history of language. Contradictory findings suggest that the origin of language remains unclear. However, today, there are approximately 7000 languages spoken worldwide. This report is exemplified in work undertaken by Michele (2019), How Many Languages Are There in the World? (2018), and Babbel.com and Lesson Nine GmbH (2019).
What is Language
A language is a form of communication agreed upon by a community of users. Speaking, reading, and writing are all expressions of language. Recent studies have shown that written language is the basis of human civilization (National Geographic Society, 2018). It enables knowledge to be passed on from one generation to another, evolving from non-symbolic and non-linguistic communication to the opposite as seen today. Common among us are body language signals, facial expressions, gestures, and vocal cries, indicating what an individual wants without speaking. These, coupled with lexicality and grammar, are all examples of communication.
The accuracy of language is not determined by the type of language expression applied. Hence, whatever expression of language is used must be conveyed with clarity, accuracy and unambiguity. When one picks up reading material, what may be the first impression that comes to their mind? "I bet I am gonna love this", or "I cannot wait to start reading", and so on; thus, they get right to it. One's motivation to continue reading could be disrupted if the language is wrong, for example, a script riddled with grammatical errors.
Nonetheless, this factor is not a sole agent to destroying the accuracy of language. Good grammar is not an end in itself. It makes up a necessary element of ensuring efficiency and precision in the use of language. Thus, accurate language is constructed with consistent grammar and is concise.
Let us now consider the critical role proper transfer of language plays in humanity.
Communication and Understanding Culture
Knowing the correct communication method for a unique purpose is vital for the effective delivery of the message. For example, how one speaks at a business meeting is not equivalent to how one speaks to a child. Similarly, it is not usual that a child communicates in a business manner to his peers. Additionally, there exist cultural transmission among classes in a society. The typical teenager uses many acronyms when texting on social media. Within that generation, it is not uncommon that an entire sentence is made up of acronyms only. This habit, to the average teenager, is beneficial, as it saves text time. The following is an entire conversation between Zina and Cojack, a teenage couple at the Antigua State College in Antigua:
Cojack: Hi Bbe
Zina: Hi Bbe
Cojack: Wyd
Zina: Nitm, ttyl
Cojack: kk, Ily
Zina: Ilyt
The interpreted version is as follows:
Cojack: Hi Babe
Zina: Hi Babe
Cojack: What you doing? (What are you doing?)
Zina: Not in the mood, talk to you later. (I am not in the mood, I will talk to you later)
Cojack: Okay, I love you
Zina: I love you to
Though quite valuable for its users, this form of communication may be either indecipherable or inappropriate to the average adult and business person. In addition to social communication, language enables an understanding of our own identity and others' to help us relate and communicate with them efficiently. It is one reason why the decision to learn a second language is wise.
Personal and Career Development
Accurate transmission of language allows for effective delivery and receipt of the communication. Consistency of which enables the development of mastery in the language. Personal development in language is not only recognized in one's mother tongue. Accurate communication in a foreign language is likewise crucial. To establish effective business relations, knowledge of a second language is essential when conducting business. It provides greater depth to a business and sets a better understanding among parties as thoughts, ideas and feelings, and, in the end, trust is better shared. In business, sharing empathy with a client is necessary; thus, understanding his language will establish an avenue to relay insights that strike profoundly, making the client feel at home. This point is further understood in Nelson Mandela's quote (Nelson Mandela Quotes. QuotesGram, no date): ''If you talk to a man in a language that he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.''
Developing Children
Developing a foundation of accurate communication skills in a child will create a lifetime of effective communication. Therefore, introducing proper use of the mother tongue to a child at an early age is beneficial for continued competence in their language delivery into adult life. Additionally, the benefits of teaching a child a foreign language at an early age have been observed as being relevant to a child's critical thinking ability. In 2016, a recent magnetoencephalography study was conducted. (Bilingual and Monolingual Baby Brains Differ in Response to Language, 2016). Exhibits revealed that the brain responses in 11-month-old monolingual babies were only to the English language, while the bilingual babies favoured English and Spanish. The bilingual babies also showed extended activity in executive functioning areas, suggesting that teaching babies a second language will strengthen cognitive development. This advancement is priceless and is supported by Jean Piaget, who invented the theory of cognitive development. His theory of the progress in a child this young is evident in information processing, perceptual ability, conceptual resources, cognitive psychology, more robust ability to learn a language, and other aspects relating to the developed adult brain (Wadsworth, 1979). This study concludes that learning a different language at an early age creates an ability to be a generally successful person in adult life.
Conclusion
This article was designed to determine why accurate transmission of language is essential in humanity. It identified the meaning of language while exploring its origin, explaining and exemplifying communication situations, and highlighting its value. Being limited to the evidence of an approximate number of languages spoken worldwide and because there is an absence of evidence to suggest the birth of language, this article lacks a fundamental element that establishes an accurate understanding of human identity in relation to communication on a universal level, as opposed to the community level which was examined. It also implies that further studies would need to be carried out in order to validate an accurate account of the creation of language. Notwithstanding these limitations, the study suggests that accurate delivery in communication keeps the language alive and determines what transmission the next generation receives. On a final note, the findings presented in this article has an important implication for future practice. The cognitive value presented by early language learning suggests that schools should not only offer foreign languages as a subject, it must also be made mandatory, as with their native tongue, more so, in the developing stages of students.
References
Books
Wadsworth, B. J. (1979) Piaget’s theory of cognitive development : an introduction for students of psychology and education. New York London: Longman.
Videos
Bilingual and Monolingual Baby Brains Differ in Response to Language (2016) www.youtube.com. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAYhj-gekqw.
Websites
Babbel.com and Lesson Nine GmbH (2019) How Many Languages Are There In The World?, Babbel Magazine. Available at: https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/how-many-languages-are-there-in-the-world.
How Many Languages Are There in the World? (2018) WorldAtlas. Available at: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/how-many-languages-are-there-in-the-world.html.
Nelson Mandela Quotes. QuotesGram (no date) QuotesGram. Available at: https://quotesgram.com/img/nelson-mandela-quotes/336951/.
Michele (2019) How Many Languages Are There in the World? The Number May Surprise You (2019), The Intrepid Guide. The Intrepid Guide. Available at: https://www.theintrepidguide.com/how-many-languages-are-there-in-the-world/.
National Geographic Society (2018) Key Components of Civilization, National Geographic Society. Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/key-components-civilization/.
Nice! Very informative.
Very insightful article. One really appreciate the power of language when she/he lives in an eclectic society. Just being sensitive to various languages makes it easier to be able to relate to and embrace others who have a different native language from you. It makes working, collaborating, and sharing, possible in a less intimidating and harmonious way.
From my perspective, this article is educational. Not only is language essential when learning to read and write; throughout history, and even within our timeline, creative and unique communication is evident outside of formal education. Most striking is the resulting increased aptitude for learning after a baby is taught two languages. With this information, I'm sure to teach my babes a few languages at an early age. Wouldn't it be great if talking two to three languages is the natural way of life for everybody? Wow, I enjoyed this article!
Very interesting observations on the importance of language in communication. And while I am not sure that multiple languages are not on offer in secondary schools, perhaps the issue would to have them introduced in primary classes or earlier.
What a great article!
I wish more people in the Caribbean, and people that claim multiple cultures, would realize this powerful strenght that is the ability to communicate in different languages - including local languages like creole.
It is a quality that allows our brain to work in ways that are unknown to other people who speak only one language. It is a true asset that is unfortunately too often overlooked in the business world.
Thanks for sharing this piece of knowledge!