Loading
Nigeria's free digital learning hub. Videos, lecture notes, practice questions and leaderboards aligned with CCMAS, NBTE, NCCE, WAEC, NECO, IJMB and JAMB curricula.
The Nature of Language refers to the fundamental characteristics and functions of human language as a unique system of communication. Language is a structured and rule-governed system of symbols, sounds, or signs that enables individuals to express thoughts, emotions, ideas, and experiences. It is both a cognitive and social phenomenon, allowing people to interact, share knowledge, and maintain cultural traditions. Language is dynamic and constantly evolving in response to social, technological, and cultural changes, while also exhibiting features such as arbitrariness, productivity, displacement, duality of patterning, and creativity. The study of the nature of language helps us understand how humans communicate, acquire language, construct meaning, and interact within diverse linguistic and cultural communities.
This lecture is part of LIN 101 Introduction to Linguistics in the Linguistics department. The course has 15 recorded lectures across 5 series, all free to watch. Read or download the LIN 101 lecture note to study alongside the video.