Theory of Knowledge Prompt: Language

“Can language be compared with other human forms of symbolic represantation, such as gestures, sign language for the deaf, dance, painting, music or mathematics? What might language share with these other forms in the communication of what we know? In what ways might it be considered distinct?”

Language, defined from the dictionary translates into: ‘A body of words and the systems for their use common to a people who are of the same community or nation, the same geographical area, or the same cultural tradition.’ Thus this technically refers to the verbal language that we commonly speak within our surroundings to communicate what we are currently feeling, or a way that we can convey an idea. And the dictionary definition of communication refers to: ‘The imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs.’

Shown by the definitions above and the definition of communication show that Language is also a way to communicate our thought, opinions or information, thus we are able to compare the process of communication through Language as well as that of using our body to create its own “language” in order to convey ideas. Being able to compare the different ways of communication comes from the many similarities in which they share within themselves.

Yet, people seem to split the idea of Language and the other concepts of communication, due to the thought of ‘Spoken’ language is a much more advanced form of communication rather than that of the body (e.g. sign language, dance). This stereotype concerning the superiority of spoken language, may come from the common and constant use of our mouth to convey these ideas, information, opinions, feelings, etc. But these different forms of communication (e.g. speech, writing, dance, painting) are the same concerning the definition of communication, thus these are similar and should be able to be compared with the Spoken language.