Language

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Language

IPM encyclopedia page

This is a TRIAS Wiki eGovernment encyclopedia page

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The content below is a contribution to the TRIAS wiki made by IPM students of The Hague University

edit the student DRAFT of this page

1 Definition/short description
2 In depth
3 The relevance of Language for Migration and/or Migration Policy
4 Examples
5 Sources, further reading, links
6 Related Educational Pages

Definition/short description

Language is the systematic use of symbols and sounds with the purpose of establishing communication between sentient beings. The faculty of language most often also implies the faculty of verbal communication.

In depth

Languages are an integral part of our world. Everywhere on this planet, personal interaction is directed on the lines of a spoken language. The mathematical and logical patterns that are instrinsinc to many languages have kept historians, linguists, etymologists and sociologists busy for centuries. Philosophers such as Ludwig Wittgenstein hypothesised that language was the means of expressing a culture's thoughts and thus the more sophisticated a language, the more sophisticated possibilities of thought and reason.

The sole existence of a plurality of languages has ambiguous origins, and is entrenched in the mythological heritages of many cultures. In the Christian faith has interpreted the tale of the tower of Babel to be the origin of the many languages spoken today. This tale, described in detail in the book of Genesis 11:1 - 9, tells of the people of earth sharing a unique language and "migrating from the east" settling in Babylon, where they set out to build a tower with "its tops in the heavens" to celebrate the grandness of man, rather than that of God. Once witnessed this, God brought the Confusion of Tongues upon mankind, confusing their languages and scattering them across the earth.

Similarly, Hindus believe that there once existed a "knowledge tree" that grew in the centre of the earth, with its top almost reaching heaven. The tree held the convinction in his heart that he "shall hold [his] head in heaven and spread [his] branches over all the earth, and gather all men together under [his] shadow, and protect them, and prevent them from separating". Once learned of this, the god Brahma cut the tree's branches and cast them down to earth as punishment to the tree's pride. These branches than grew as "wata" trees symbolizing the scattering of men across the planet and the diversification of languages and cultures.