We explain the types of language and the difference between verbal, nonverbal, natural, artificial, and other languages. Please read other MTV articles for more information. If you share it, it will be of little help to us.
What are the types of language?
Language is a system of signs through which thoughts and emotions are communicated, and references are made to real and imaginary, present or absent, aspects.
Language is a characteristic of human beings, distinct from the communication systems of animals. The latter, in fact, can communicate through various types of impulses (sound, smell, visual), but they lack the creativity and productivity of human language, which is not limited in the types of experiences and knowledge that can be communicated.
Must Read: About Reciprocity
Language can be classified in many ways, depending on the criteria used. Based on this, the following types of languages are recognized, among others:
- According to whether or not a linguistic code is used: verbal language and non-verbal language.
- According to its origin and development: natural language and artificial language.
- According to its primary function or purpose: expressive language and cognitive language.
- According to the degree of specialization: technical language and ordinary language.
- According to the degree of formality: formal language and informal language.
- According to its scope and distribution: vehicular language and vernacular language.
Verbal and Non-Verbal Language
Verbal language is language that uses a linguistic code, that is, it communicates through words. This language can, in turn, be of different types:
Oral language. It uses the spoken word as a channel of communication. It involves the use of various points of the vocal apparatus (larynx, tongue, lips) to generate the sounds that form words. Written language. It uses graphic signs that represent words and sounds on some type of physical medium (paper, screen). It has its own rules, different from those of spoken language, and in some cases, can diverge completely from it.
Nonverbal languages are those that do not use words, but rather communicate through other types of signs: images, gestures, non-linguistic sounds, etc. Often, these languages are used alongside verbal language. Some types of nonverbal languages are the following:
Body language
This refers to body gestures and movements used to communicate ideas or feelings. This is what happens when we cross our arms (a sign of anger or obstinacy) or when we raise a fist (a sign of protest, struggle, or complaint). Proxemics is also part of body language: the personal space a speaker maintains with their interlocutors.
Facial Language
This is the set of movements made with the muscles of the face, used to communicate information, such as smiles, eyebrow positions, eye opening, etc.
Visual Language
This uses symbols or icons to communicate concepts. For example, traffic signs.
Paralanguage
This is the set of nonverbal features of the voice that accompany verbal language. It includes aspects such as tone, volume, pauses, the use of interjections or onomatopoeia, etc.
Must Read: About Geek
Natural and Artificial Language
Natural language is language that has evolved naturally through use and repetition, without conscious or premeditated planning. It is acquired spontaneously and strengthened through social interaction. Both the native language (that is, language acquired in childhood and used habitually) and facial language, proxemics, and gestures are examples of natural languages.
An artificial language is any language created consciously and deliberately for a specific purpose. Taking into account the degree of affinity or similarity with natural languages, artificial languages can be classified as:
Constructed Languages
This term refers to deliberately designed languages that, similar to natural languages, have their own phonology, grammar, and vocabulary. Some constructed languages, such as Esperanto and Volapük, contain elements of natural languages; Others, such as Quenya (spoken by the elves in J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings), are entirely invented.
Formal Languages
These are languages that consist of strings of symbols (formal alphabet) that follow a series of clearly defined and established rules (formal grammar). These languages do not deal with the representation of reality, as ordinary language does, but rather respond to their own logical system, as is the case with logical-mathematical language or the programming language used by software programmers. (This type of language should not be confused with the notion of formal language, associated with the careful use of language, typical of certain communicative situations.)
Cognitive Language and Expressive Language
Cognitive language, also called referential language, is language that primarily has an informative function. It states whether something is true or false, or whether it is a certain way or another, and refers to specific facts or phenomena. Scientific language belongs to this type of language.
Emotive language, also known as evocative or lyrical language, is language whose primary function is expressive. It consists of statements that, unlike statements in cognitive language, are not susceptible to truth or falsehood, as they only say something about the person using them. Literary language belongs to this type of language.
Technical Language and Ordinary Language
Technical language is language specific to certain fields and areas of knowledge, characterized by the use of specific jargon or vocabulary. It can be recognized by a more or less typical way of communicating information and the use of a particular syntax. Examples of this type of language are medical language, legal language, and, in general, the language of any discipline and profession.
Ordinary language is language that is in widespread use. Unlike technical language, it lacks jargon and is much less precise, as its purpose is not to communicate specific knowledge, but rather to express ideas and feelings linked to everyday experience.
Must Read: About Spoiler
Formal Language and Informal Language
Formal language is appropriate for communicative situations marked by solemnity or seriousness. It is characterized by the careful use of language: it strives to adhere to linguistic norms and avoid colloquialisms or vulgar expressions. It usually uses the impersonal third person or, occasionally, respectful forms of address (usting “usted” instead of “tú,” for example).
Informal language is that used in everyday speech, marked by a relationship of trust between the interlocutors. It is less careful than formal language, lacking in adherence to norms, and frequently contains colloquial words or expressions. Rather than using impersonal or respectful forms, informal language tends to use the first or second person forms.
Vehicular Language and Vernacular Language
Vehicular language, also called lingua franca, is the language used as a common language between people who have different mother tongues (i.e., the language learned in childhood and commonly used by a speaker). From ancient times until the 17th century, Latin was the vernacular language in Europe. Currently, its place has been taken by English, which is the global vernacular language.
The vernacular language (from the Latin vernaculus, “of the country,” “of the house,” “native”) is the language specific to a specific country or place. It corresponds to the mother tongue. Compared to the vernacular language, the vernacular language sometimes has less social prestige.
Must Read: About Ethnicity
References
All the information we offer is supported by authoritative and up-to-date bibliographic sources, ensuring reliable content in line with our editorial principles.
- Language at dle.rae.es
- Language at britannica.com
- Artificial and Natural Languages at encyclopedia.com
- Stages of Speech and Language Development at nidcd.nih.gov
- Types of Language – Definition, Meaning, Characteristics – concepto.de
