Language

Language is a way to encode or thoughts about the world, and to gain and share knowledge.

Language is present everywhere, being very important for people on everyday life. Usually, we don’t reflect about language itself, because it comes naturally for us. A language does not involve just idioms. Computer programing is also a language, because it is a way to communicate and transmit ideas.

Characteristics: Language is also connected to values. Sometimes, we think that it transparently describes the world and the truth. However, many things we say are not a description of how things really are, but about how do we see them, about our minds and how do we use words. Words are a projection of your attitudes, beliefs and values.
 * 1) Forms our sense of self-awareness and of time and place.
 * 2) Develops our memory and imagination.
 * 3) Shapes our culture and influences our perception. According to the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, language and culture are connected. According to someone’s language, their way of seeing the world will be similar to other people who share the same mother tongue. For example, there are words in Portuguese that can’t be translated, and only who speaks this language can understand what message does these words really transmit.
 * 4) Reveals our identities as persons and members of a community.