Language is a means of accomplishing practical things (for instance, “Please pass the salt” generally gets the container of salt handed to you, so you can put some on your food). Think, too, of ordering a meal at a food-serving place.

It’s used to build and cement relationships. One example is joking around and teasing (thinking here of the good kind of mutually-fun teasing).

Speaking of teasing, language is used to berate, belittle, and make another person feel like doo-doo — there’s another use. In extreme cases, it’s used to turn another into a slave. (think emotional abuse, for instance; put the person so far down they do everything you want and cater to your every whim)

Entertainment or passing the time, as in chit-chat (joking fits in here, too).

Almost everyone says “communication” and lets it go at that. There are 2 problems with that: it leaves out a LOT of uses; it fails to explain, as no one says what the purpose of communication is (purposes of communication ARE).

Language is a huge and varied set of tools, not a monolithic thing. It’s flexible. We do a LOT of things with it.

There are legal functions language performs: “With this ring, I thee wed. … I now pronounce you husband and wife.” “I hereby sentence you to 2 years….” (The word ‘hereby’ is a dead giveaway that something is being done, usually of a legal nature.)

We use language to change the thinking or beliefs of others — argumentation, persuasion, propaganda, education. These sorts of things are often for the purpose of changing people’s behavior. (“Use a gun, go to prison.” “Recycle!”)

Sometimes we use it to think with, both in our own heads, or aloud; to figure things out or reach decisions.

Asking for and giving comfort and sympathy.

Asking for and giving permission.

Issuing and acknowledging orders.

To warn. To calm. To create worry.

To get some of your money into my pocket — by selling you something, by conning you.

Here are 2 things you might do: try to pay attention to the uses of language around you, and note their purpose. Watch some TV, and note the purposes for which characters use language, and the other verbal stuff that’s shown.

Another thing you can do is read the later works of Ludwig Wittgenstein, which is where I got this broadened and deepened and enriched view of language.

If you know any little kids, just learning language, hang out with them and pay attention to what they use language for.

One of the earliest things they learn, for instance, is “Up!”