Logo

First it has not been established that the function of language, as manifested in speech is entirely natural that is to say it is not clear that our vocal apparatus is made for speaking as our legs for walking. Linguistics are by no means in agreement on this issue. Whitney for instance who regards languages as social institutions on exactly the same footing as all other social institutions holds it to be a matter a change or more convenience that it is our vocal apparatus we use for linguistic purposes. Man in his view might well have chosen to use gestures thus substituting visual images for sound patterns. Whitneys is doubtless too extreme a position. For languages are not in all respects similar to other social institutions. Moreover Whitney goes too far when he says that the selection of the vocal apparatus for language was accidental. For it was in some measure imposed upon us by nature. But the American linguist is right about the essential point the language we use is right about the essential point, the language we use is a convention and its makes no difference what exactly the nature of the agreed sign is. The question of the vocal apparatus is thus a secondary one as far as the problem of language is concerned.