What is Language? – We are all insiders

Posted on January 12, 2022 Updated on August 28, 2026

(387 Words)

Language is a fundamental aspect of human communication, and as speakers, we are all insiders to the language or languages we use. Consequently, for many purposes, we may take the concept of language for granted. However, closer examination reveals considerable variation within what is commonly understood as a single language. For example, although English is spoken across the world, the English used in Glasgow differs significantly from varieties spoken in other contexts, such as Jamaica. Therefore, there is no single, uniform form of spoken or written ‘English’; rather, there are numerous varieties, often referred to collectively as ‘Englishes’.

This variation raises important questions about how languages should be defined and distinguished from one another. As Hermann Paul (1880) observed, “We must, in reality, distinguish as many languages as there are individuals.” This statement highlights the extent to which individual speakers develop distinctive linguistic patterns and illustrates the difficulty of establishing clear boundaries between different languages and varieties.

Linguists are frequently asked how many languages exist worldwide. Estimates generally place the number at approximately 5,000 to 6,000, although the precise figure is difficult to determine. This difficulty arises partly because definitions of what constitutes a ‘language’ can vary between countries, cultures, and linguistic communities. Consequently, the distinction between a language and a dialect is not always straightforward.

The relationship between language and social and political factors is captured by Max Weinreich’s well-known observation from 1945: “A language is a dialect with an army and a navy.” This statement suggests that the distinction between a language and a dialect may be influenced not only by linguistic differences but also by political, cultural, and social considerations. In this sense, it may be more productive not to focus excessively on rigid definitions, but instead to recognise that both ‘language’ and ‘dialect’ are terms used to describe forms of speech that are perceived as distinct.

Ultimately, linguistic variation exists at both the individual and societal levels. Every speaker uses language in a somewhat unique way, meaning that it could be argued that every individual possesses their own linguistic system. Nevertheless, the differences between individual speakers are generally limited enough to allow effective communication. Language can therefore be understood as a shared and flexible system of sounds, words, and structures that enables members of a linguistic community to communicate and understand one another.