definition of language according to edward sapir

WARDHAUGH - a language is a system of arbitrary vocal sounds used for human communication. LYONS - according to Lyons, languages are the principal systems of communication used by particular groups of human beings with the particular society of which they are members. This definition of Derbyshire clearly utters, language is the best source of communication. It is articulatory, systematic, symbolic and arbitrary. DERBYSHIRE - says the language is undoubtedly a kind of means of communication among human beings. This definition of language considers sentences as the basis of language. A language is a set of sentences, each finite length and constructed out of a finite set of elements. NOAM CHOMSKY - says the language is the inherent capability of the native speakers to understand and form grammatical sentences. In their definition of language, they point out that, language is an arbitrary system, vocal sounds, way of communication, and collectivity.

BLOCH and TRAGER - according to them, a language is a system of arbitrary vocal sounds by means of social group cooperates. The definition of Sapir expresses that language is mainly concerned with only human beings and constituted a system of sounds produced by them for communication. SAPIR - according to him, language is a purely human and non-instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions, and desires by means of a system of voluntarily produced sounds.

In other words, language is first a system based on no logic or reason secondly the system covers both objects and expressions used for objects and thirdly objects and expressions are the arbitrarily linked and finally, expressions include sounds and graphemes used by humans for generating speech and writing respectively for the purpose of communication. SAUSSURE - Language is an arbitrary system of signs constituted of the signifier and signified. According to him, language is a speech sound produced by human beings in order to express their ideas, emotions, thoughts, desires and feelings. The definitions of language according to different scholars: ARISTOTLE - Speech is the representation of the experience of the mind.

Definition of language according to edward sapir