The Importance of Language
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The Importance of Language
Sandoval (2005) defines language as the armoury of the human mind which contains the trophies of the past and the weapons of future conquest. He continues by adding that even the wisest mind has something to learn, through the use of language. Language refers to any system of formalised symbols, signs, sounds and gestures that are used and conceptualised as a means of communicating thoughts, feelings, emotions etc. language can also be defined as the human capability to acquire and use complex systems of communication. Language is therefore very significant to the life of every individual in their day to day lives. This can be attributed to the fact that language ensures effective communication when interacting with people since communication is only effective when you communicate and the intended message is encoded as intended, this is enabled by language.
We literally process our world in terms of language. For example, during an interview I attended last summer, I was able to fully communicate with the interview panel and successfully introduce myself, answer their questions because of language. Language in essence helps make known our responses and intentions by the manner in which we communicate whether through symbols, words or signs (Hamman, 2009).
Language enables the perception of deaf and blind individuals change. This is evident with Helen Keller when after learning a bit of language and having a realisation that at least everything had a name, on arriving home she remember the doll she had just broken and felt remorseful. She even attempts to put it back together (Keller, 1954). Thus, Language contribute to philosophical and friendly sense of humour. It is because of language that she begin to feel an attachment to the doll that she had just broken contrary to initial stages when she had not learn any form of language and thus could not comprehend anything in her surroundings.
Helen Keller’s feeling changed because of psychological acceptance. After beginning to learn language, she realised that her life could still move on comfortably without the light. This is because initially all she had was an inward, soundless cry for light. Keller had a bitter feeling in her dark world and as a result was becoming increasingly wild and unruly. When she began learning language her attitude took a different turn because she had started accepting her condition and realising that she could still interact with her surrounding positively despite her dark world. This realisation helped change her feelings towards people, surrounding and her condition.
Keller’s feelings changed because she was able to cope with the negative and devaluative attitudes that she had before she began learning language. She realised that being mad, rude to everyone and everything around her was not important. This is because that did not make her feel any better either. This is evident when she shed tears and felt really sad about breaking the doll. This she never should have mind before she was introduced to language (Keller, 1954). Additionally, that craving for light faded away because language allows for personal identity and self-esteem. It enables those who are blind and deaf understand that they are also equal human beings despite their disability and should therefore feel content and free to exist just like the rest of the people with no disability.
Language changed Keller’s feelings because it allows for self-actualisation. This is evident because after language came into Helen Keller’s life she was thrilled and happy. That bitterness that she always had inside her slowly started fading away (Keller, 1954). She began to actually realise that life was not all about light and being able to see everything that is a round you. She discovered a serene peace in just feeling the environment around her and being kind to the things and people that coexist around her. Language really helped changed how Keller even perceived her relations to the surroundings basically people and environment. She attain self-actualisation at her level because language flooded happiness in her life and enable her realised that she could peacefully exist without having light and yet interact well with her environment and people around her.
In conclusion, Language is very important. This is especially to the disabled that include the deaf and the blind. Language helps alter the perception among the people who are blind and deaf in attempt to help them cope with their day to day challenges that their disability brings along. This it does by: ensuring that they develop a positive attitude, self-concept and self-esteem. This in turn help them live their lives peacefully and accept their conditions gracefully. It enables them realise that every individual is unique in their own making and should thus appreciate themselves the way they are. In addition, language give them the ability to cope with negative and devaluative attitudes, develop philosophical and friendly sense of humour, enhance assertiveness and allows the realise self-actualisation.
Reference
Keller, H. (1954). The story of my life. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday