Language vs. Communication — What's the Difference?

Enables complex expression.

Involves a sender and a receiver.

Governed by grammar and syntax.

May occur across different media.

A language is a structured system of communication used by humans, based on speech and gesture (spoken language), sign, or often writing. The structure of language is its grammar and the free components are its vocabulary.

Communication (from Latin communicare, meaning "to share"or "to be in relation with") is "an apparent answer to the painful divisions between self and other, private and public, and inner thought and outer word." As this definition indicates, communication is difficult to define in a consistent manner, because it is commonly used to refer to a wide range of different behaviors (broadly: "the transfer of information"), or to limit what can be included in the category of communication (for example, requiring a "conscious intent" to persuade). John Peters argues the difficulty of defining communication emerges from the fact that communication is both a universal phenomena (because everyone communicates), and a specific discipline of institutional academic study.One possible definition of communication is the act of developing meaning among entities or groups through the use of sufficiently mutually understood signs, symbols, and semiotic conventions.

Communication of thoughts and feelings through a system of arbitrary signals, such as voice sounds, gestures, or written symbols.

The act of communicating; transmission.

Such a system including its rules for combining its components, such as words.

The exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behavior.

Such a system as used by a nation, people, or other distinct community; often contrasted with dialect.

Interpersonal rapport.

A system of signs, symbols, gestures, or rules used in communicating

The art and technique of using words effectively to impart information or ideas.

(Computers) A system of symbols and rules used for communication with or between computers.

The field of study concerned with the transmission of information by various means, such as print or broadcasting.

Body language; kinesics.

Any of various professions involved with the transmission of information, such as advertising, broadcasting, or journalism.

The special vocabulary and usages of a scientific, professional, or other group

Something communicated; a message.

A characteristic style of speech or writing

A system, such as mail, telephone, or television, for sending and receiving messages.

A particular manner of expression

A network of routes for sending messages and transporting troops and supplies.

The manner or means of communication between living creatures other than humans

Communications The technology employed in transmitting messages.

Verbal communication as a subject of study.

(Biology) The transfer of information from one molecule, cell, or organism to another, as by chemical or electrical signals or by behaviors.

The wording of a legal document or statute as distinct from the spirit.

An opening or connecting passage between two structures.

(countable) A body of words, and set of methods of combining them (called a grammar), understood by a community and used as a form of communication.

A joining or connecting of solid fibrous structures, such as tendons and nerves.

(uncountable) The ability to communicate using words.

The act or fact of communicating anything; transmission.

(uncountable) A sublanguage: the slang of a particular community or jargon of a particular specialist field.

(uncountable) The concept or state of exchanging data or information between entities.

The expression of thought (the communication of meaning) in a specified way; that which communicates something, as language does.

A message; the essential data transferred in an act of communication.

A body of sounds, signs and/or signals by which animals communicate, and by which plants are sometimes also thought to communicate.

The body of all data transferred to one or both parties during an act of communication.

A computer language; a machine language.

An instance of information transfer; a conversation or discourse.

(uncountable) Manner of expression.

A passageway or opening between two locations; connection.

(uncountable) The particular words used in a speech or a passage of text.

(anatomy) A connection between two tissues, organs, or cavities.

(uncountable) Profanity.

(obsolete) Association; company.

A languet, a flat plate in or below the flue pipe of an organ.

Participation in Holy Communion.

To communicate by language; to express in language.

(rhetoric) A trope by which a speaker assumes that his hearer is a partner in his sentiments, and says "we" instead of "I" or "you".

An admonishment said in response to vulgar language.

The act or fact of communicating; as, communication of smallpox; communication of a secret.

Any means of conveying or communicating ideas;

Intercourse by words, letters, or messages; interchange of thoughts or opinions, by conference or other means; conference; correspondence.

The expression of ideas by writing, or any other instrumentality.

Association; company.

The forms of speech, or the methods of expressing ideas, peculiar to a particular nation.

Means of communicating; means of passing from place to place; a connecting passage; connection.

The characteristic mode of arranging words, peculiar to an individual speaker or writer; manner of expression; style.

That which is communicated or imparted; intelligence; news; a verbal or written message.

The inarticulate sounds by which animals inferior to man express their feelings or their wants.

Participation in the Lord's supper.

The suggestion, by objects, actions, or conditions, of ideas associated therewith; as, the language of flowers.

A trope, by which a speaker assumes that his hearer is a partner in his sentiments, and says we, instead of I or you.

The vocabulary and phraseology belonging to an art or department of knowledge; as, medical language; the language of chemistry or theology.

The activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information;

A race, as distinguished by its speech.

Something that is communicated by or to or between people or groups

Any system of symbols created for the purpose of communicating ideas, emotions, commands, etc., between sentient agents.

A connection allowing access between persons or places;

Any set of symbols and the rules for combining them which are used to specify to a computer the actions that it is to take; also referred to as a computer lanugage or programming language; as, JAVA is a new and flexible high-level language which has achieved popularity very rapidly.

The exchange of information.

To communicate by language; to express in language.

Can be verbal or nonverbal.

A systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols;

Includes emotional and contextual layers.

(language) communication by word of mouth;

A system of words used in a particular discipline;

The cognitive processes involved in producing and understanding linguistic communication;

The mental faculty or power of vocal communication;

The text of a popular song or musical-comedy number;

A system of symbols for communication.

A cultural and social construct.

May be spoken, written, or signed.

Most languages have some form of grammar to structure expression.

Language is a structured system of symbols and rules for communication.

Grammar, syntax, and vocabulary are key components.

Verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual are common channels.

No, language is a tool used within the broader scope of communication.

Yes, it often reflects cultural norms and societal structures.

Yes, although not through structured language, animals do communicate.

Yes, through facial expressions, gestures, and artistic mediums like music.

Communication is the broader process of transferring information, feelings, or ideas.

Yes, it can include gestures, facial expressions, and even silence.

No, some are only spoken or signed.

Yes, through means like visual symbols, body language, and tone.

It's essential for understanding, trust, and emotional connection.

While animals can communicate, complex language is a uniquely human trait.

There are over 7,000 known languages worldwide.