Language

Language is the method that can be used to express opinions, needs, thoughts and questions to one another. Language is, apparently, a highly contraversial topic in our TOK class. Language is universal, no matter the species language is a form of communication that is used every day. For instance, forager bees can communicate where they found pollen by using a dance that beekeepers call, the waggle dance. By performing this dance, successful foragers can share with their hive mates information about the direction and distance to patches of flowers yielding nectar and pollen, to water sources, or to new housing locations.^[1] This waggle dance is a form of communications through bees. This shows the different forms of communications between species, not limited to communication between humankind. Language between humans has many different aspects and sociocultural levels. For instance the level of vocabulary can change the caliber and outcome of a conversation or argument because the facts or opinions expressed are more detailed, accurate and relavent to the subject of conversation. This makes vocabulary a huge playing card in communication; vocabulary can, however be a hinderance if the level of vocabulary is not matched between the two people whom are communicating.


1. Riley, J.; Greggers, U.; Smith, A.; Reynolds, D.; Menzel, R. (2005). "The flight paths of honeybees recruited by the waggle dance". Nature 435 (7039): 205–207. doi:10.1038/nature03526. PMID 15889092