Language is expressed orally or in writing. A forum for both spoken and written language is provided by digital media. Oral language is used by all human groups and civilizations. The modes of transmission and reception are what set the two kinds of language apart. Vowels, consonants, and syllables are the fundamental structural elements that all languages share. In its most basic version, language is a system that transmits information and relays information as feedback. Language is not only helpful in a social setting as a unifying element, but it also plays a vital part in enlightenment and appreciation. Schools encourage cross-cultural communication by fostering diversity and the learning of new languages. Teachers have a big role in ensuring that students despite their diversities are able to relate well, learn together and learn on other cultural norms and languages. To understand the development of a particular language it is essential for the students to appreciate the existence of diversities and study the different cultural backgrounds. Languages developed accordingly to the different cultures. This has been supported by the presence of different communities in different localities. Language in the beginning might have been one and as communities spread by way of migration, their language might have changed and added new vocabularies which relates to their surrounding environment. Language is not only a physical ‘object’ but also a social process. This paper addresses the following topics: language as a physical ‘object’, language as a system, language as social context and socio-cultural nature of language to the classroom
Language as Physical ‘Object’
Language just like fish in a laboratory ought inspected well to be studied word by word, sentence wise and in the text level. Language as a dynamic being is slippery, not static and keeps changing with time (Grugeon and Gardner 2000: 105). As a physical object, language is a tool used to create an understanding. It is a vessel used to convey information and feedback. Language as an identity object for the different cultures often highlights their heritage. Language came into being by form of evolution and essential for equality. Humans are both producers and consumers of oral language. Cultures often determine the way language is use and always different level of powers created disparities in the communication process. The powerful individuals in several cultures indeed limited the rest of the people from speaking their minds. The elders and kings later on developed powerful and official speeches that could be utilized in communication. The less powerful in the society thus became less speakers of a language but consequential consumers of speeches.
Language is functional based on its various roles and functions. The meaning in language is often constructed socially and messages are not neutral entirely. The voice and attitude in language forms its behavior that outlines the various social and cultural practices (Green 2006). Language as an object is contextual as the meaning cannot be expressed exquisitely without the context of their place of utterance and time. The context of words tells their meaning hence outlining language as an object which describes. Language is more dynamic and changes with time. The spread of the written language was initially limiting to the literate who could read and write. Language use and learning in the digital age is more famous and trendy (Gee, Paul and Hayes 2011: 4).
The digital media as it carry language makes it more interactive and permanent at the same time. Messages sent through the digital media are far reaching and can be translated to match the reader’s language without any alteration. The efficiency with the digital media is however curtailed with dynamic nature with which the users can modify or alter the meaning of the message and spread them in form of rumors. The digital media capacity is high and with the advances in technologies the language can be outline in more descriptive form encompassing the words, sounds and images. The gestures for particular actions may also be included to make is worthy for every setting. The digital media makes language to be more multimodal as such a combination of words, images and sounds (Gee, Paul and Hayes 2011:1). The multimodal nature makes language to be more diverse and pervasive creation importance in today’s use of language.
Language as System
Languages as a system can share the basic design properties consists of the vowels, consonants and syllables. They have grammars which compose of the nouns, verbs, clauses and sentences. Languages according to different scholars must have come into being from one single and original language. The languages must have evolved from the growth of the different human cultures. Languages today are more complex than before due to the development of the different cultures (Chomsky 1957, 1986; Geek 2004; Pinker 1994).
Cultures are ways of life and provide context in which people are in existence, articulate their feeling, outline their thinking, express their feelings and be able to develop relationship with others. The cultural phenomenon can be outlined as a fabric of meaning among people. The people are able to outline their customs, norms, ideas, skills and tool by way of culture which is distinct from another in a given period of time. The different cultures of the world have a language with which they identify with. The different languages evident from the diverse cultures have the same rules and structure. Students ought to identify language as a system and outline their distinctive features. A language for instance can be outline with regards to phonology, lexis, orthography, syntax structures or grammatical structures and semantics. Semantics provide meaning for the individual sentences, texts, words, phrases and clauses. Lexis expresses the vocabularies used while orthography outlines the specific rules of spelling and how words are written (Loane 2016).
A specialized form of language can be utilized to help in enhancing the importance and power of the users in dealing with individuals who are not part of their group. Classrooms often comprise of students from diverse culture and ethnic backgrounds. They students may have differences in their original languages with the classroom language. Teachers ought to be aware of such instance while teaching and be able to utilize classroom language to be inclusive of such students. Learning another language entails learning about the other cultures. For students to relate well to the learning process and school in general it is essential that students from diverse backgrounds are brought into context in the overall learning process. Their language should not be rejected and their customs should not be treated as inferior. Schools should respect all cultures regardless of the level and power in the society (Green 2006).
Non verbal cues and body languages may have different meaning according to the different cultures. It is thus essential in a school setting to enable students learn of their diverse non verbal differences and make them be more keen on the meaning in context rather than their cultural significance. The schools should promote learning of such differences so as to avoid moves that may seem to be offensive according to a particular culture. School language ought to harmonize the different languages and help in demystifying the gray areas that may exist.
Language as Social Context
Language as a continuum is utilized in everyday life by humans to communicate, argue, explain, reprimand, express emotion or even to appease. Language use depends on the people communicating and this can be differentiated with the choice of words, vocabularies, body language and even the formality. Language can be differentiated with respect to both social and cultural aspects. The understanding of a particular language by the people communication depends on their backgrounds. Language is shaped by gender, understandings and relationships that exist in a particular social situation. People from diverse backgrounds and social situations understand texts differently and express their understandings in unique ways (Gee, Paul and Hayes, 2011: 2).
Language in a social context is crucial in creating an understanding which is vital for taking appropriate actions. A misunderstanding in language often leads to discrepancies in the actions resulting from wrong interpretations. Discrimination may occur in instances of wrong definition of words due to the varying discourses of language. People view and practice language differently. Language use is often correlated with the discourses one takes part in. The discourses are particularly inherent with the ideologies and resist any form of criticism emanating from within. The discourses create both an insider and outsider scenarios in a language situation. An insider for instance takes the form of implicit understanding that operates in a language situation and is empowered by the use of the language (Loane 2016).
The different language shows distinct changes and variation. In this context, having a common language for instance in schools should take consider the variations that may be occurring. Students’ way of life and that of their families may be different from that found in the school localities. This way a rift is created whereby the student starts rejecting the schools’ social and language practices. Feeling unwanted or unaccepted the student may withdraw from one class or school to the next. This affects not only their performance but also their behavior towards others and the authority. To correct this, schools should consider language as a social semiotic and as such create and understanding and respect for the different cultures in the school setting.
Socio-cultural nature of language to the classroom
The schools and classes students attend are normally diverse and comprise of students from diverse cultures. The various cultures bring their languages into their classrooms often creating conflicts as a result of diverse meaning in languages. The students from backgrounds with familiar practices and literacy formations similar to those in schools find it easier to adapt and experience comfort in the transition from their homes to their schools. It is very important for the students to be taught on their own local language as they easily identify with the things in their surrounding. The act of naming is powerful in the learning process as often certain names can be referred to in the local language while explaining certain terminologies (Ewing et al pg. 81). Students whose language varies with that used in school may feel inferior and not recognized and thus have to adapt to the school’s language (Green 2006). To rectify this schools have social practices which enlightens students so as to be relevant with existing institutional framework and discourses. This can be done by taking some words from the different language of these students and factoring the in the language being spoken and used in schools. A case scenario can be seen in the case where words from the Aboriginal people have been taken to teach students on the names of animals (Ewing et al 88-89). The principle of inclusion of the words is instrumental in creating a sense of understanding and ensures that every one is included in the learning process. The creation of an awareness of the diversities help students embrace their cultures and not feel inferior.
The children may develop a particular language for a specific function or reason. This can be in a bid to satisfy their ego, social need, emotional need or in order to understand their world better. Language has different functions for students while in their classrooms. Learning according to Gee is a means of ‘acquisition’ or ‘acculturation’ (Gee, Paul and Hayes, 2011). Learning ensures that students gain conscious knowledge by way of teaching, explanation and analysis (Gee, Paul, and Hayes, 2011). Students’ quest for knowledge, understanding and development is backed by exposure and a form of formal teaching. The students in their environment ought to acquire knowledge in order to pass their examinations, further their studies and be able pursue their future careers. Students may also learn more than one language in order to explore the world and even be able to multitask.
Teachers provide knowledge by way of explanation of concepts and analysis of events which are relevant to the particular subject matter. The teachers can utilize the language of the students as a starting point in the reading and writing process. This fundamentally enables students to learn fast as they already know their local language (Ewing et al pg. 81). There are several influences which affect the students’ language development. This may be their cultural backgrounds, norms, belief and values. Teachers should develop better understanding of the language, have strong knowledge and be able to provide moral support to the students. Teaching ought to factor in the various language cultures and backgrounds in order to harmonize their relatedness and differences. Students ought to be open-minded in their studies and be able to accommodate the various teachings and explanation regarding the different cultures. While appreciating their own culture and not feeling inferior, students should also appreciate other cultures and not consider their own culture as superior to the other cultures (Loane 2016).
Conclusion
Language is an important tool of communication. Languages differ according to the cultural backgrounds and the surrounding environment. Language can be defined as a physical ‘object’ which is distinct and important instrument of nurturing relationships. As a system language comprise of different aspects and its learning involves a particular process. Both teachers and the students have distinct roles to play with regards to the development and advancement of language. There are different factors which influence the development of language in a particular setting. The cultural norms, values and beliefs play a role in the development of a new language. Individuals do have their own reason for advancing to urge for knowledge and developing another language. The advances in technology and societal advances have led to the development of the digital media which combines both oral and written language as one entity. Language use have now becomes global and different languages can be easily harmonized by means of efficient and effective translation. Individuals ought to appreciate their cultures and not underestimate other people's cultures. This ensures that persons from diverse cultures are able to live together in harmony and relate well with each other. Language is important to humans not only as a tool of communication but also a system in a social process. It plays a crucial role in creating understandings and help in the solving of societal problems.
References
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