Definition

1. Noun:
   • A systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols: "Linguistic communication" refers to the structured, rule-governed system humans use to convey meaning through spoken sounds, written symbols, or manual signs. It is the primary medium for human interaction and thought.

Usage

• "Linguistic communication" is a formal, academic term used to describe the abstract system and the act of communicating through language. It distinguishes human language-based interaction from other forms of communication (e.g., gestures, animal signals, mathematical notation). It is often used in fields like linguistics, anthropology, and psychology.

Examples

• The study of linguistic communication involves analyzing grammar, semantics, and pragmatics.
• Misunderstandings can occur in linguistic communication when speakers use words with different connotations.
• The evolution of linguistic communication is a key topic in cognitive science.

Advanced Usage

• As a countable noun (referring to specific instances or types): While typically uncountable, it can be used countably in scholarly contexts to compare different systems.
  • The linguistic communications of ancient civilizations provide clues about their social structures.
• In compound noun phrases: It frequently appears in specialized phrases.
  • The primary goal of the course is to understand the mechanisms of human linguistic communication.

Variants and Related Words

• Language (n): The most common and direct synonym, referring to the system itself (e.g., the English language) or the act of using it.
• Verbal communication (n): Often used interchangeably, though it can sometimes be limited specifically to spoken communication.
• Linguistic system (n): Emphasizes the structural and rule-based nature of language.

Synonyms

• Language
• Speech communication (though this often implies spoken form)
• Verbal interaction

Related Phrases

• Breakdown in linguistic communication: A failure to understand or be understood through language.
  • The negotiation failed due to a complete breakdown in linguistic communication.
• Channels of linguistic communication: The mediums through which language is transmitted (e.g., oral, written, digital).
  • Modern technology has expanded the channels of linguistic communication.

Notes on Meaning

• The term specifically highlights the systematic, symbolic, and conventional nature of human language. It encompasses both the (the language system) and the of using that code to exchange information. It is a broader term than "speech," as it includes written and signed forms of language.

Noun

1. a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
   • he taught foreign languages
   • the language introduced is standard throughout the text
   • the speed with which a program can be executed depends on the language in which it is written