Is a Language very important? What do you think? Language is powerful as they say. Why? It is because of language that we can express who we are, want we want, how we feel, what makes us feel happy or bad. In short, through language we became aware of who and what we are and the things around us – our world. I can’t imagine our world without a language. Can you figure it out, too? I don’t think so if we have these big establishments right now, specifically the department stores like: SM City, Robinsons, Gaisano Mall, Plazuela, ect., where we can buy things that are essential to us. Things that somehow make our lives easier and give us total convenience. I don’t think so if all of these establishments were being made if there was no language and communication between the engineers and his fellow workers. If there was no language, I don’t think so if cellphones or other gadgets that we are using in communication existing nowadays If there was no language before, I don’t think so if Neil Armstrong was able to reach the moon if not also by the help given to him by his co-workers of his space shuttle. This is also true to other scientists who have contributed in the development of our society if not because of the knowledge that was given to them by their predecessors.  As you could see, language has a greater role in making all things possible here on earth.

In our daily lives, we know that language is very important because we use it for our communication. From the moment we wake in the morning, when we turn on the radio or the T.V. to listen or to watch the latest news of the day, which makes us aware of all the happenings in our society that somehow gives us information that could help us to gain convenience or to secure ourselves so that we can avoid accidents. Communication is also needed even when we simply go to the market to buy the things that are essential to us. We need to communicate to the vendors, or else, they could not provide us of the goods that we want to buy from them. The same through when we ride on a jeepney going to our work, school, mall, etc. We need to communicate to the driver so that we can reach our destination, safe and sound.

In the field of education, language or communication is much needed. In fact, if there is no language there is no learning because learning is grounded on the communication and the language used, and if that will happen, education will lose its purpose. We all know that the basic purpose of education is to give all the students sufficient learning either inside or outside the classroom. Learnings that will help them to equip their selves of the right knowledge that they need for their future or their later lives. Learning can only happen if there is an understanding between the instructor and his students. And that could only be attained if there is a good communication between them. That’s why inside the classroom the students are encourage to have a conversation with their instructor regarding their lessons so that their instructor will know if they truly understand the lessons given to them.

Language takes a great role also in our belief or faith. Since the wisdom of God is beyond understanding. That creates a difficulty for a man to understand truly His mystery; He gave us his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, as His word that became flesh and was being borne in our own likeness as men. God made this; he humbles Himself, so that he could deliver His message in the level of understanding of his people. Just like revealing your God to your special friend or fellow Christian. God knows how important to have a communication with His people because through his language (Jesus Christ) he can truly reveal himself and to really make His people to ponder within themselves all his teachings that will lead them to win His promised salvation to all humanity.

Language is very important in every aspect of our daily lives. It is because language makes all things possible. It helps us in our communication process so that we could provide ourselves of all the essential things that we need in our day-to-day living. And it enables us to union with others which makes our lives even more meaningful. 

Person is always in communion. The person is always communal in nature and can never be separated from the community. For the essence of the community is from the persons. Since we as persons, are in the community, how are we going to interact and deal with each other? We, as human individuals interact and intermingle with each other through communication or conversation. And we use language as our means of communicating and talking with other individuals. We speak. We speak because speaking is natural to us. Language speaks. Language is everywhere. Human beings are said to have language by nature. Language is language. Language itself is language. Conversation is a mere play of words, that is why it is strange. We make believe that they speak about things but in fact, language speaks only of itself. Language has its own world because it concerns only of itself. Some speak about certain thing or to someone but in fact they could only speak about themselves. This simply shows that using language has limitation. Ones you speak of something, you cannot freely capture or grasp because it is always “kulang”. It does not mean that, what you are saying and sharing about that particular thing or to someone else is already right and similar to their interpretations, however it always changes. It will still depend on the perception, view, interpretation and understanding of the object. You cannot control it. Ones you already uttered a word or words, it is not already yours. Despite of the limitations o using language, we cannot deny the fact that language is very essential in our everyday lives. Wherever we go, wherever we are, language is always there, for it is everywhere. We always use language. Language is our identity. Without language, we cannot be identified and capable of being human beings. For all the creatures being created by the Father, we are grateful and thankful because we human beings have only given the gift to speak. It is our distinction from plants, animals and all other living creatures. We have our language. Also through language, we are being linked, bonded and connected with each other. We could communicate to others. We could talk and express our own feelings, fulfillment, achievements, happiness, success, appreciation, care, love, compassion, gratitude, jokes, and of course, share our problems, frustrations, disappointments, failures as well. Because of language, we can read, share our own ideas, thoughts and knowledge to others. We can give advice and words of inspiration. We can touch and inspire one’s life through our loving, moving and touching words of encouragement. Language could really help us a lot especially in expressing our deep love, care and concern to someone. We can say to them, “I love you Ma, Pa”, “Thank You”, “Take care”. Above all, through language we can express our deepest love, worship and adoration to our Almighty Father, and of these is prayer. However, there were times in our everyday encounter with each other.  Language sometimes makes barrier and gap to one of us. There were times that we have our misunderstandings, hatreds and anger because of misinterpretations, and misconception of what we are saying and talking with each other. We could not really capture and understand what others are talking. It shows that we as human beings have our own view, perspective and interpretation and how we see things in life. Thus, in order for us to capture and understand others, we have to get out o our own prejudices and biases and enter into their understanding and view.

What is Language? How much do I need it? Language is an important element in a communication. It is the means use by the speaker to communicate with the receiver. The speaker passes the message or information to the receiver using the language that is common to both of them which they can both understand be it in a form of speaking, as a sign or in written form. Language is a language if at least two people have knowledge of it and at least two people can understand. I cannot say that I have a language that I was the one who invent it and that I alone know it. When Descartes said “Cogito ergo sum” which means “I think therefore I exist”, it can be a proof already that others exist because he used a language (Latin) which he knows that other people knows it. Same also when he said “Solus ipse” which means “I alone exist.” It could be better when he said it, he use words that no one can really understand or that the words he uses are alien to all people and no one really knows.

In communication, at least two or more subjects are involved. The subjects that are involved in the conversation are both speakers and receivers. Language bridges the speaker to the one he/she wants to pass the information with which is the receiver. Through common language used in communicating, it is easier for the both speakers and receivers to understand what each other are saying. I don’t mean that they will really get the point of the other or the understanding and arguments will meet. What I mean is that they will understand what the other is saying.

Language for me is a powerful tool we have as humans. Why? It is because it can control the feelings of others. We can make the other feel good by saying words of encouragement or affirming him/her. We can make the other feel bad, angry or destroy his/her disposition by saying bad, offending and hurtful words to him/her. Not all the time it can control others feelings but it can control the feelings of others if the receiver cannot manage and he/she will react according to his/her instincts. (Example: If I will hear my classmate backbite me, my immediate reaction is to feel bad and the feeling I have in me is anger. I cannot control what I feel.) Aside from controlling the feelings of others, through language we can also express our feelings. We can express it by speaking, writing and even in action. If we feel anything, of course there is a feeling in us that we can’t wait to express it. If we feel very happy, much fulfilled, very sad or very angry, we find others to talk to. In expressing our feelings, we feel relieved. There is a joy in us if others know what we feel and they understand what is going in us. What if all of us have our own different and unique language that no one except you yourself alone knows it? What will happen to us? Maybe there will be no understanding and it will be very hard to communicate. We can no longer express our feelings and we know how it feels that no one understands us, that no one can get our point. It’s “kabuluang and kailinit.”

Language is a great gift God had ever given us humans. Because we have feelings and we are rational beings, it is important that we can express it. God gave us feelings and knowledge but without language they will be useless because we cannot express them. The absence of the expression of feelings and knowledge is somehow the absence of freedom for we cannot speak out. If it will happen, maybe we will “burst.” Language can be used “functionally” and “relationally.” Yes we know that we cannot really express everything in language but we can also approximate. There are terms that no word can capture but let us be grateful because even though language is limited, it is already a big help in our way of living as emotional and rational beings. The best thing about language is that we can be in communion. We can relate with others, we can be a group, a community and WE can be ONE. Now you know how language is important for me. For you, how is language important? What is its meaning for you? What is its part in your life? For me, linggwahe ko, kinanglan ko gid!

Language is everywhere. It reveals the world. Since I am in the world, I am surrounded by language. World has its meaning to me and usually this meaning has always its function. Through this meaning and the function of the world, I can relate to the world. The world, as an object, is at the same time becomes a language also.

How much do I really need language? I can’t live without language. Language is already a part of my life. I can’t understand something without language. Language is essential in my life. Language can be understood through verbal and non-verbal connection. I need language to express my feelings and at the same time it’s my way to be in connection with others. I need language to be more expressive and understandable. It is true that what you speak reflect what you are. For example, we will speak truth or a lie it will still reflect on yourself, you are a true person or a liar one. Another example is when you said “I like You” it does not mean that you like someone but it only emphasize that you like yourself. Why? Because you want someone like yourself the same as you like yourself.

Language is everywhere.  Day by day we live together with language. Some of them as what I mentioned above can be experienced non-verbally, which means language can be expressed through signs and symbols. We could not take away the fact that signs and symbols can be seen everywhere even our body can be a sign or a symbol. Some of this signs and symbols, since both of them may mean many things, can be misinterpreted by others, the same as of the verbal language. We’re not sure of what others say unless we are them. A wet road is not reliable sign of a recent rain if the sprinkler wagon pass by. This misinterpretation of a non-verbal language is a form of mistakes. Mistakes is also one aspect of our lives, we could not avoid it, the same as language itself.

Through the help of language, we continue to evolve. We continue to progress. We continue to make difference and we continue to live. Along with this evolution of man through language is also a failure of others. Language is powerful. We could not live without language.