Language serves to transmit information and to store people’s cumulative experience – a cumulative function. At the same time, individuals use language in different ways depending on the situation. Thus, teenagers often communicate through text messages where they use slang, jargon, and bilingualism. Additionally, when people try to convey information accurately in direct conversations, they change their facial expressions and utilize gestures. Meanwhile, when there is communication between people of all ages, everyone tries to adapt the language to make the discussion understandable (Young and Jean-François, 1210). That is, it is essential to notice the versatility of language and its adaptability to each type of circumstance.
Language is a vital part of existence; however, it can also be a reason for distancing people from one another. For example, jargon or slang is often accompanied by a desire to separate people of one’s circle from others. Often teenagers use incomprehensible words to older people, thus creating an even greater gap between the generations. Additionally, each region of the country may have its dialects. People subconsciously feel closer to those who speak similarly, and vice versa may feel cold when communicating with people from other areas. Language connects and brings people together, even though each seems individual and has unique character traits (Young and Jean-François, 1216). The use of similar phrases and expressions brings people together. In confirmation, people who communicate a lot even begin to use the same gestures or similarly build sentences.
In addition, language performs a more responsible task: it determines development and culture. The use of common expressions can unite those who are different in spirit, way of existence, and social aspects. Words serve as a way of representing nations that feel identity through the use of a single language. It is significant to mention that with the aid of specific words and methods personalities express their identities. For example, members of scientific societies tend to use complex terms and speak with a good intonation. One might also mention language adapted to writing rapid messages (Young and Jean-François, 1218). Thus, in the first case, individuals express their identity through the use of specialized words, while in the second case, people abbreviate words or skip letters simply to save time.
Work Cited
Young, Robert JC, and Emmanuel Bruno Jean-François. ‘That Which Is Casually Called a Language.’ PMLA/Publications of the Modern Language Association of America, vol. 131, no. 5, 2016, pp. 1207-1221.