Definition:
Language is a system of rules, symbols, and sounds used for communication. It serves as a medium to express and understand ideas.
Based on its form, language can be classified into three types:
Written Language (Literary Language)
Spoken Language (Colloquial Language)
Sign Language (Gestural Language)
Also known as "Formal Language," this type follows grammatical and structural rules. It is mainly used in books, magazines, and official documents.
This is the everyday spoken form of a language. It is more informal, and strict grammatical rules are often not followed. People use this in daily conversations.
This form of communication uses gestures and movements to convey meaning. It is commonly used by individuals who are deaf or mute.
Language can be understood in two ways:
Language in a General Sense
Language in a Specific Sense
This includes all forms of communication, such as gestures, movements, signs, traffic signals, and symbols that help convey meaning.
This refers to the structured use of spoken and written symbols (letters and sounds) for communication. To learn a language properly, one must study its grammar, which provides the rules for correct speaking and writing.
Grammar is the set of rules that help in writing and speaking correctly. It ensures clarity and proper communication.
The alphabet consists of letters that form the foundation of a language. These letters are symbols that help in writing and reading.
The English alphabet consists of 26 letters, which are divided into two categories:
Capital Letters (Uppercase)
Small Letters (Lowercase)
Capital letters are used in specific cases, such as:
At the beginning of a sentence.
Example: He is a student.
For proper nouns (names of people, places, etc.).
Example: He is Ahmad.
For the days of the week.
Example: Today is Wednesday.
For the months of the year.
Example: It is June.
For the pronoun "I."
Example: I am a student.
In abbreviations and acronyms.
Example: UN, USA, UK, WFP
This includes all forms of communication, such as gestures, movements, signs, traffic signals, and symbols that help convey meaning.
Lowercase letters are used in general writing, such as books, articles, and casual texts.
Examples of uppercase and lowercase letters:
Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz
The alphabet consists of letters that form the foundation of a language. These letters are symbols that help in writing and reading.
The English alphabet consists of 26 letters, which are divided into two categories:
Capital Letters (Uppercase)
Small Letters (Lowercase)
The English alphabet is categorized into three groups based on pronunciation:
Vowel Letters
Consonant Letters
Semi-Vowel Letters
1. Vowel Letters
Vowels are letters that produce sounds without any restriction in airflow. They can form syllables on their own.
The five vowels in English are:
A, E, I, O, U
Role of Vowel Letters:
Vowel letters are essential for pronunciation. A word without a vowel is difficult to pronounce.
Example: *"Ptvs" (hard to pronounce) → "Representative" (easier to pronounce with vowels).
Vowels help in syllable formation (a unit of pronunciation).
Example: Moral
Words that begin with a vowel sound use "an" instead of "a" in articles.
Example: An apple, an umbrella, an hour
Special Note:
There are two letters, "W" and "Y," which sometimes act as vowels. These are called Semi-Vowel Letters.
2. Semi-Vowel Letters
Semi-vowels are letters that function as vowels in some cases and consonants in others. The semi-vowels in English are:
W, Y
Examples:
As consonants: Why, Window, Yellow
As vowels: Cry, Sky, Spy
3. Consonant Letters
Consonants are letters that require an obstruction in airflow when pronounced. They cannot form syllables on their own.
There are 21 consonant letters in English:
B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y, Z
B – Silent when before "T" or after "M" at the end of a word.
Examples: Debt, Thumb
C – Sounds like "S" before "E, I, Y" but like "K" otherwise.
Examples: City, Car, Cycle
D – Silent before "J" or "G."
Examples: Bridge, Adjective
F – Pronounced as "F."
Examples: Fame, Live
G – Sounds like "J" before "E, I, Y" and like "G" otherwise.
Examples: Gender, Gym, Girl
H – Pronounced like "H" except in silent words.
Examples: Hide, Healthy
J – Sounds like "J."
Examples: Jam, Jacket
K – Silent before "N" at the start of a word.
Examples: Knife, Knee
L – Silent in some words.
Examples: Chalk, Walk, Talk
M – Pronounced as "M."
Examples: Moon, Meat
N – Silent after "M" at the end of words.
Examples: Autumn
P – Silent before "S" or "N" at the start of words.
Examples: Psychology, Pneumonia
Q – Always followed by "U" and sounds like "K."
Examples: Queen, Quiet
R – Pronounced as "R."
Examples: Read, Ruler
S – Sounds like "S" or "Z."
Examples: Sauce, Search
T – Silent before "CH" and after "S" in some words.
Examples: Watch, Whistle
V – Pronounced as "V."
Examples: Verse, Shelve
W – Silent before "R."
Examples: Write, Wrong
X – Pronounced as "X."
Examples: Box, X-ray