“语言”定义的重新定位

现有的有关"语言"的定义,有语言工具说、符号说、本能说、世界观说、社会现象说、存在说、行为方式说,以及表述说、表达说、词语规则说、系统说、活动说、信息说等种种说法。虽然现有的诸种说法在一定程度上都有正确地反映了语言的某种本质或性能的一面,但却因思维方式及视域所限,不可避免地还存在着一些诸如不能系统、深入、恰切地反映语言的真正本质等不尽如人意的地方。依据作者提出的层次语言本质论之理念,自然语言意义上的"语言"的定义应该按着语言的底层本质(基础层次)、一般本质(核心层次)、特殊本质(表象层次)之层次本质观念,重新做如下新的界定:语言是人类实践活动的音义结合的表现符号。

Definition of Language:a Re-orientation

Presently,language is defined as a tool,symbol,instinct,world outlook,social phenomenum,existence,behavior way,as well as an expression,activity,information or a formulatin,word rule,system,etc.although every one of these definitions corrrectly reflects one kind of essence or property in some aspect,they have some defects that they can not systematically,deeply and precisely reflect the ture essence of language.According to the theory of levelled language essence proposed by the author of this paper,language in perspective of natural significance should be redefined with ground essence(basic level),normal essence(core level)and special essence(presentation level),that is,language is representation symbols of human practical activities combined with sound and meaning.