A language is a system of arbitary signals, such as voice sounds, gestures or written symbols which communicate thoughts or feelings.

Human spoken and written languages can be described as a system of symbols (sometimes known as lexemes) and the grammars (rules) by which the symbols are manipulated. The word "language" is also used to refer to common properties of languages.

Language learning is normal in human childhood. Most human languages use patterns of sound or gesture for symbols which enable communication with others around them. There are thousands of human languages, and these seem to share certain properties, even though many shared properties have exceptions.

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NPR Topics: Politics & Society

White House Red-Faced Over Berlusconi Gaffe
Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:00:00 -0400
The White House has apologized for a biography of Silvio Berlusconi that calls the Italian leader "one of the most controversial leaders in the history of a country known for government corruption and vice." The bio was distributed at the G-8 summit.
Mccain, Obama Court Hispanics
Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:24:00 -0400
Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama address the League of United Latin American Citizens. Democrats aim to increase Hispanic turnout, while Republicans hope to build on the inroads George W. Bush made among Hispanic voters in 2004.
Housing Bill Moves Slowly Through Congress
Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0400
The housing bill is inching forward though Congress with bipartisan support, while Nevada Republican Sen. John Ensign tries to attach a package of energy tax breaks. The tax breaks also have bipartisan support, but only if their cost is offset.

The Talk of the Town

The Chill
Nick Paumgarten Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:00:00 -0000
If you had stumbled into Banjo Jim’s, in the East Village, on a recent Wednesday night and encountered a sixty-something guy leading a band through a fervent rendition of “Wild Thing,” for an audience of two dozen or so, you might have concluded, “This is lame,” and slipped back . . .
Oily Speculations
James Surowiecki Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:00:00 -0000
When bad things happen, it’s always nice to have a scapegoat. So, with Americans furious about soaring oil prices, Congress has gone in search of someone to blame. There are a number of usual suspects to choose from, depending on your politics--OPEC, greedy oil companies, lily-livered environmentalists opposed . . .
Obama’s Iraq Problem
George Packer Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:00:00 -0000
In February, 2007, when Barack Obama declared that he was running for President, violence in Iraq had reached apocalyptic levels, and he based his candidacy, in part, on a bold promise to begin a rapid withdrawal of American forces upon taking office. At the time, this pledge represented conventional thinking . . .

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