Module 1: Basic Knowledge of Language (Wika)

Etymology and Fundamental Concepts of Wika

The term "wika" finds its linguistic roots in the Malay language. Broadly defined, wika refers to any form used to convey feelings (damdamin) and expressions (ekspresyon). It is a medium of communication that may or may not involving sound (may tunog man o wala). This definition emphasizes that language is not merely restricted to vocalizations but encompasses the entirety of how internal states and messages are externalized and shared. In contrast, the term "lengguwahe" is derived from the Latin root, which migrated into English as the word "language."

Key terminology associated with the foundation of language includes "Malay" and "Latin" regarding its origins, and "Komunikasyon" (communication) regarding its primary function. The study of language also focuses on different modalities, such as "oral," "pasulat" (written), and "biswal" (visual).

Modalities and Forms of Language

Language manifests in various structural forms or modalities depending on the method of transmission. One primary form is the Oral modality, which refers to spoken communication or "pasalita." In the context of Filipino linguistic tradition, this is often linked to "pasalindila," a term describing the oral transmission of literature, history, or culture from one generation to another through word of mouth. Beyond the vocal-auditory channel, language exists in the "pasulat" (written) form, which utilizes symbols to record information. Furthermore, language includes "biswal" (visual) forms and other diverse methods of signaling and transmission that allow for the exchange of meaning even in the absence of vocal sound.

Expert Definitions of Language

Prominent scholars and linguists have provided specialized definitions that categorize language as a structured and cultural phenomenon. Henry Allan Gleason, an American linguist, defines wika as a systematic framework (masistemang balangkas) of spoken sounds (sinasalitang tunog) that are selected and arranged in an arbitrary manner (paraang arbitraryo) to be used by people who belong to a single culture (iisang kultura). Gleason’s perspective highlights the triad of system, sound, and culture as the essential pillars of any functioning language.

Archibald A. Hill, in his work "What is Language," offers an alternative perspective by describing language as the primary and most detailed form of human symbolic activity. According to Hill, these symbols are composed of sounds generated by the physiological speaking apparatus (aparato sa pagsasalita). These sounds are not random; rather, they are organized into specific classes and patterns that allow for complex human interaction and the representation of the world.

Fundamental Characteristics of Language

A language is defined by several core characteristics that govern its existence and utility. The first of these is sound (tunog). Sound is considered the basic ingredient or component of language. These sounds must originate from the human speaking apparatus (aparatong pansalita) to be considered linguistic in nature. This establishes sound as the primary technical requirement for the spoken form of wika.

The second characteristic is the arbitrary nature (arbitraryo) of language. This principle states that there is no permanent, inherent, or objective reason why a specific object is called by a specific name. The naming convention is determined by the community and varies across different languages. For instance, the creature known as a bird has different names depending on the linguistic group: in Tagalog, it is called "ibon"; in Ilokano, it is "bilit"; in Bikolano, it is "gamgam"; and in Waray, it is "tamsi." These different names (magkakaibang tawag) for the same animal illustrate the lack of a universal, fixed link between the sound of a word and its physical referent.

The third characteristic is that language is systematic (masistema). This implies that words have a correct and specific arrangement or order (tamang ayos). When the arrangement of words is altered, the meaning of the phrase can change or become incoherent. For example, the phrase "batang malusog" and "malusog na bata" both follow a systematic grammatical structure to convey the concept of a "healthy child." The keyword for this characteristic is "tamang ayos," emphasizing that language relies on a predictable structure to facilitate clear communication.