Language and Language Use

Yoshihisa Kashima

Humans have the capacity to use complex language, far more than any other species on Earth. We cooperate with each other to use language for communication; language is often used to communicate about and even construct and maintain our social world. Language use and human sociality are inseparable parts of Homo sapiens as a biological species.

Learning Objectives

Define basic terms used to describe language use.

Describe the process by which people can share new information by using language.

Characterize the typical content of conversation and its social implications.

Characterize psychological consequences of language use and give an example.