About
The character "语" originates from the concept of speech and verbal exchange, formed by combining the semantic component "言" (speech) with the phonetic component "吾" (I, me), which also contributes a self-referential meaning. Its traditional counterpart, "語", retains this same composition. Historically, the character initially functioned as a verb meaning "to speak" or "to discuss", but over time its usage expanded to encompass the resultant nouns, such as "language", "proverb", or "saying". This semantic broadening from the action to the content and product of speech represents its primary conceptual shift. The character's simplified form, introduced later, streamlined the phonetic component while preserving the recognizable "言" radical, maintaining its core association with verbal communication.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他会说英语。
语言是交流的工具。
学习语法很重要。
她用温柔的语气安慰我。
这门课程主要研究语义学。
专家们正在分析这段古代语料。
语用学关注语言在实际中的使用。
语料库对语言学研究至关重要。