Describe the three characteristics of language.

The three characteristics of language are as follows:

(i) The first characteristic of language is that it involves symbols. Symbols represent something or someone else, for example, the place where we live is called ‘home’ the thing that we eat is called ‘food’. Words like home, food, and numerous other words do not in themselves carry any meaning. When these words are associated with some objects / events they attain meaning and we begin recognising those objects / events, etc. with particular words (symbols). We use symbols while thinking.

(ii) The second characteristic of language is that it involves rules. While combining two or more words we usually follow a definite and accepted order of presenting these words.

(iii) The third characteristic of language is that it is used for communicating one’s thought, ideas, intentions, and feelings to others. We communicate through the use of our body parts, called gestures or postures. This type of communication is called nonverbal communication.