THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LANGUAGE TO A SOCIETY
Language is essentially a system of communication where sound or signs convey objects, actions and ideas. The history of language dated back many thousands of years. In initial era, language was mainly spoken not written.
But the improvement of the writing medium and later the printing system went a long way is the indulgence of knowledge and without which individuals would have remained in the dark about the ways of life and the thought processes of their ancestors.
Language is the key to human lives. They can eradicate misunderstandings by using it as a tool to transfer communication among people.
Language has a number of significances to play in a society.
Among them are:
Language as a unifying factor
Language unifies people in a society or country/nation. It inspires a sense of oneness. For example how Kiswahili unifies people i.e. many tribes in Tanzania.
As a factor for national identity
There are many elements that make a particular society distinct from others; like their types of food, dressing etc. but language gives an identity that is more specific and obvious.
So language remains as one permanent mark of an identity.
As a factor for social development
Social development depends largely on language. It enables people to interact and work together towards the intended goal.
Through it, the leaders are also able to give directives in the efforts like building the schools, hospitals, roads etc for development
A s a factor for social stratification
The class to which a member of society belongs is determined by the way they use language among other things.
People of different classes use language differently in terms of their choice of vocabulary, pronunciation, intonation and other aspects of language.
Language can distinguish different classes like educated and non-educated, villagers and urban dwellers, the rich and the poor etc.
As a reflection of culture
Language reflects different customs, traditions and beliefs. It shows how people of given community define the world surrounding them.
For example the word ugali is found in Kiswahili but it lacks its equivalent in English because the native speakers of English do not eat ugali as their food. So ugali is not part of their culture.
As the medium of communication
Language facilitates the transfer of information from one place to another. Radios, Televisions and newspaper use language to give information.
Language Enhances Cultural Diversity
Language is the foundation upon which societies are built. By understanding different cultures and languages, individuals can become more open-minded and appreciative of the diversity among people.
It helps promote acceptance, understanding and tolerance for those who may be different from you in terms of race, religion or culture. This is especially important in a globalized world where it has become increasingly important to embrace cultural diversity.
Language Enables Knowledge Sharing
Language is the key to knowledge sharing and information exchange. It allows different individuals to communicate their ideas and experiences with each other, thus helping create a vibrant and diverse community of thinkers.
By learning about various cultures through language, individuals can gain new insights and perspectives. This can allow them to broaden their understanding of the world in which they live.
Language Connects Generations
Language is the thread that helps connect generations together by bridging gaps in age, culture and experience.
It allows people to share their knowledge, values and beliefs with each other and understand different perspectives more easily.
Language is thus a precious gift that helps us connect with our past, present and future. Learning new languages can help us stay connected to the world around us and create meaningful relationships with people from all walks of life.
THE PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION
Communication
Simply refers to the process of transferring and interpreting message from a sender to a receiver. The process of human communication involves:-
The message: this is what is to be communicated. It may be ideas, feelings signs etc
The sender (encoder): this is a person who delivers the idea and then encodes it. (put it into symbols that are understood by the hearer).
The signals: the symbols (written or spoken) that have communicative value.
The channel: is the medium through which the message is passed. It may be through face to face, telephone etc.
The receiver (decoder): the one who receives the message. She/he decodes (turns the symbols spoken or written into meaning)
The feedback: is the response from the receiver, in action or words that show that the message has reached the receiver. It may be actions like coming, turning, signs like gesture and facial expression.
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