The 12 types of language (and their characteristics)
The language is a communication system, formed by oral and written signs , which serve so that human beings can express our ideas, thoughts, emotions and feelings to other human beings, either to two or more people.
Language becomes indispensable in our life in society and is key in our interpersonal relationships. In this article you will know how the language is classified and what its characteristics are.
- Related article: "The 10 basic communication skills"
Other forms of communication
Language is only part of communication. Being a good communicator is key to developing on a day-to-day basis and to be successful in interpersonal relationships , at work and in life in general.
The communication as well as the language, can be of different forms, since it is possible that there is more than one communicator (one person or several) or that the message is sent through a different channel. So before going to know what are the different types of language, you can start by knowing the different types of communication in our article: "The 28 types of communication and their characteristics."
Types of language
But, What kinds of language are there? What are their characteristics?
In this article we present a list with the different types of language and its explanation.
According to your level of naturalness
There is more than one type of language or method of communication through which we transmit information. In this sense, we can classify different typologies. One of them is based on the level of naturalness or artificiality with which the symbol code used is used.
1. Natural language
Natural language is the language that we all speak in an ordinary way (Spanish, Catalan, English, French, etc.) and refers to those languages that have developed spontaneously by a group of people with the purpose of communicating. It is different from other types of languages, such as: programming languages or mathematical language.
Thus, or natural language understand all that type of act of communication that unconsciously uses the code learned and assimilated during childhood and the process of development, typical of the environment and culture of belonging.
2. Artificial language
It is understood as such all that language created and used consciously with the objective of fulfilling a certain objective, expressing itself in a different way from the natural one or in order to specify technical aspects that can be ambivalent and difficult to understand through natural language.
Artificial language is not born spontaneously, but is created and does not respond to the purpose of communication of general use. The programming language is a clear example , because it is a language to communicate with computers and between computing devices. Therefore, it can be said that it is a type of language ad hoc, in whose origins there has been a clear specific objective, linked to a specific context.
Within the artificial language they emphasize the formal language, the literary and poetic language like form of emotional and artistic expression and the technical language (within which we can find specific languages of different disciplines such as the legal language or the doctor). Next we will see its characteristics.
Literary language
The type of written language used by writers. It may seem like the cultured language, however, colloquial and even vulgar turns can be introduced. It is a type of language that creates beauty and complex literary plots, in addition to communication. In it, the forms matter a lot, and the attempts of expression do not focus only on the explicit content of the messages . For example, the fact of having a fictional character speak with a certain accent serves to build their role in the story, since it can inform about their ethnic or social origins.
Scientific and technical language
The scientific and technical language is composed of jargon, that is, they are languages that use different social groups and professional associations and that vary with respect to the standard language. In addition, they are normative and objective. The language is technical in the sense that it is used in different activities, professions, or plots of science. This is because it is necessary to have clear beforehand the precise meaning of the words and of the ways of formulating the messages so as not to fall into procedural errors derived from a misinterpretation of what has been communicated.
The scientific language is similar to the previous one. However, the main difference between the two is in its purpose.While the scientific language refers to the transmission of knowledge, the technical language aims to transmit information not with a theoretical purpose, but with immediate and specific practical purpose.
Formal language
Formal language is less personal than informal language, and is used for professional or academic purposes. This type of language does not use colloquialisms, contractions or pronouns like "you" or "you". Instead, use "your", "you" or "you".
In a way, the main reason for the formal language is give the communicative context an importance or solemnity that serves to make that place or act is something that is respected, that is above the individual people who are communicating.
According to the communicative element used
The language can also be classified according to what type of elements are used in the communicative exchange.
1. Verbal language
Verbal language is characterized by the use of words when interacting with another person (or persons) , either through written or spoken language. Now, not only refers only and exclusively to the use of words, but also to shouts, acronyms, hieroglyphics, etc.
On the other hand, this is a type of language that starts from the establishment of norms and symbols whose interpretation has been agreed in advance (although there is a certain space to dissent). Therefore, it takes time to learn how to use it.
Oral
Oral language is, basically, spoken language. This type of language is a combination of sounds used to express thought, in which sounds are grouped into spoken words. A spoken word can be a single sound or a group of sounds . To express something these words must be grouped correctly following a series of rules.
In addition, this is one of the first types of verbal language that appeared in our evolutionary history, probably next to the iconic language, or shortly after.
Written
The sounds of oral language are represented by letters to form written language. In other words, oral language has equivalent words in written language. These words are written on paper or on a computer , and express ideas, and as in oral language, these words must be grouped appropriately for correct expression.
Iconic
It is another type of non-verbal language that uses basic symbols and defines ways to combine them. The basic symbols are the vocabulary, and the way to combine them the grammar.
2. Non-verbal language
This type of language is carried out without words and, in many cases, the person who performs it is not aware. The look, the way of sitting, walking, gestures, body movements, are some examples of non-verbal communication.
Kinesthetic
It is a type of non-verbal language that is expressed through the body . Gestures, facial expression, body movements and even body odors are kinesthetic language.
Facial
It is a non-verbal language that appears specifically in the way in which the muscles of the face move, an area to which we are very sensitive, since there are areas of our brain dedicated to detecting facial expressions and giving them meaning.
Other categories
Other categories can also be considered to classify language types that do not fit the above criteria.
Vernacular language
The vernacular language refers to the native language of the place where it is spoken. For example. French in France or Spanish in Spain. However, Spanish in Colombia or Peru are not vernacular languages.
Self-centered language
The egocentric language is a type of language that is observed in children and that is an integral part of their development . Originally it was Jean Piaget who gave name to this type of language, and this famous character affirmed that it happens because the child is not a very social being at an early age and speaks only for himself.
According to Piaget, over time, the child is related to their environment and this type of speech disappears. In contrast, for Vygotsky, over time this type of speech evolves and helps children organize and regulate their thinking.
- Related article: "Piaget vs Vygotsky: similarities and differences between their theories"
Social language
Another term coined by Piaget to refer to the linguistic behavior of children . Social language is characterized because the destination of information and communication goes outward, adaptively and to relate to the environment. The child adapts the dialogue to the interlocutor.
