According to Websters Dictionary Language is: the words, their pronunciation, and the methods of combining them to be used and understood by a community. Although, there was many different definitions of language, this definition was the closest to what I believe language is. Language means a lot because it is a way in which I can communicate with other people. However, I believe that language includes not just verbal communication but non verbal communication; like body language. Body language is a major non verbal tool in communication. Even within place that speak one language, they have different symbols and customs that others might misinterpret. Language is defiantly within a community or group of people. For example, you might talk one way at work and another way around your family. You still speak "English" but its a different language because if an outsider came to your house they would not understand what you and your family was communicating. I am not sure that language can ever have one specific or direct meaning because everyone interprets it differently.
I totally agree with you. Language is so varied that even the way one person speaks a language can be different than how another person speaks the same language and it's ok. Look at standard English and African-American Vernacular English; they are mutually intelligible, but so different!
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