language (general communication)
- Scope note
- The means of communicating beyond simple gesture or facial expression, but including the words and their pronunciation or symbolic representation as understood by a considerable community and established by long usage. It includes both verbal and non-verbal communication. Language is typically held by experts to exist only among humans and their ancestors, but not known in other species; however, disagreement on this point exists. Language also refers to the vocabulary or phraseology of a particular sphere, discipline, profession, or social group. For specific, established systems of communication, such as Spanish or English, use "languages (established systems of communication)."
- Date of creation: 13-May-2024
Accepted term: 13-May-2024