Final answer:
Language is a communication system that involves using words and systematic rules to organize those words to transmit information from one individual to another. The five characteristics of language are: arbitrary, structured, productive, dual, and systematic.
Step-by-step explanation:
Language is a communication system that involves using words and systematic rules to organize those words to transmit information from one individual to another. There are five characteristics of language:
- Arbitrary: Words do not have a direct or logical connection to their meaning. For example, there is no inherent reason why the word 'dog' represents the animal.
- Structured: Language has a system of rules that govern how words are combined to form meaningful sentences. These rules include grammar, syntax, and phonology (the study of speech sounds).
- Productive: Language allows us to create an infinite number of new utterances by combining words and structures.
- Dual: Language has both a spoken and a written form, which can exist simultaneously.
- Systematic: Language is a systematic and organized communication tool that follows certain patterns and conventions.