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What Is a Human Language?

Tara Barnett
Tara Barnett

A human language is a language that has come into existence for the primary purpose of communication between humans. This type of language can evolve naturally or can be constructed intentionally, but in all cases its defining characteristic is its use for communication between humans. In contrast, animals can also be said to have languages, and language is necessary to the functions of some machines. Human language is generally thought to operate in different ways than these other types of language.

The evolution of human language is complex, and there are many different theories on how language developed. Almost all humans acquire one or more human languages as children and can be said to be native speakers of those languages. While there are many different languages, each language is equally valuable for communicating thoughts, though the languages may do so in different ways. Human languages can be very different in terms of grammar and sounds, but their purpose is the same across human cultures.

Woman standing behind a stack of books
Woman standing behind a stack of books

One of the unique features of human languages is that the connection between sounds and the ideas those sounds represent is arbitrary. Different words can be used to represent the same concept with equal utility, and it is often the case that words are very different between languages. Languages may be interrelated and historically connected, but this does not imply that all languages evolved out of a single original language. Even so, many early studies of human language were concerned primarily with tracing the roots language back to a single original source.

A human language can have many different forms and facets. For example, there may be written and spoken components as well as other ways of encoding the language, such as manual signs. In certain cases, language is not only used for practical communication, but also to differentiate between groups of people, as being able to communicate was once a major sign of intelligence. Language has many social elements when used by humans, and many important aspects of language do not relate to the sounds of the language.

Interestingly, human language is not always used for communication with other humans and in some cases is incorporated into other languages. For example, the type of speech used to command dogs draws from human language but cannot be used by both parties for full communication. The study of languages is constantly evolving, in part because the way in which humans acquire language and even the origin of language is not fully understood. As such, it is impossible to fully define human language, as the subject is still hotly debated.

Discussion Comments

discographer

@turquoise-- I too have heard that there was a first human language and the languages we use today are all derived from it. As far as I know, there is no consensus as to which language that is. It could be an extinct language that is no longer spoken.

Also, depending on who you ask , you will get many different kinds of answers and opinions on this from scientists and religious leaders. Religious texts mention the use of language by the first people Adam and Eve. I read one account in which God taught the language to Adam and Eve through angels. But we don't know what language that was. In my opinion, it doesn't really matter because we can continue to communicate with other groups using different languages successfully.

turquoise

Is it true that in the beginning of humanity there was only one language and all of the languages in the world today emerged from that? I've heard that Sanskrit is the first and oldest language and everything else is a derivative of that. Is this true?

serenesurface

I'm very interested in the concept of communicating with animals. It's true that animals can understand human language, but we can't seem to figure out animal languages. Cats and dogs learn and respond to human words. Our pets know their names and follow basic commands like come, go, sit, etc. They also respond in their own language sometimes. Technology has advanced so much but we still haven't found a way to communicate with animals through their languages. We only seem capable of understanding human languages.

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      Woman standing behind a stack of books