Name : Aniyatu Solikhati

Nim : 23030-15-0078
class :B
lecturer : Kartika Indah Permata S. Pd, MA.
INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTIC
Assignment 1
1. Write why you consider being a good definition of the term language. Justify the choice
of the elements that you have incorporated in your definition.
Answer:
Human beings may not be the only species that can communicate among them self. Man
is a social being, who always needs company in his life. It can hardly be imagined that he
should live all alone by himself without anyone to accompany him. In order to facilitate
their efforts to provide themselves with the necessities of life, human beings have to
cooperate with one another, which can only be carried out in a community. It is for the
purpose of this cooperation that members of social group needs a means of
communication, which is called ‘language’.

Language is a form of human communication or relates to communication between

human beings by mean of a system of symbols principally transmitted by vocal sounds.
The two elements mentioned above, they are symbols and system. However, I did not
suggest that the human is only creature which was capable of communication. All
creatures from animals are capable of communicating with other members of their
species.

Communication used by animals can also be called language as used by human beings.
There is a similarity between the two in that the sounds produced by both human beings
and animals are intended to convey a message. However, there is a big difference
between the two. The message imparted by animals is limited. On the other hand, with
language man can express his ideas and wishes to other people such as when he needs
their help so that close operation among members of the group can be carried out. With
 language man can communicate not only about things connected with his biological
needs, but also about any other thing which he may deem necessary. (poole, 2000)

2. What do you consider to be the principal benefit to the human race of language?
Answer:
There is indeed some truth in what an old Greek scholar once said that man is a ‘zoon
politicon’ or political being, which has to live in a community. Human beings needs of
such a medium to connect people in the community that information transmission
becomes possible.

The principal benefit to the human race of language to communication, because with
language we can communication with other creatures and with language we can know
different between human language and animal communication, we are considering both
in the terms of their potential as a means of intentional communication. We know that
language have unique properties not only with speech but also we can communication
with other creatures with body language. It can be concluded that the principal benefit to
human race of language is communicating with another human.