Language is an indispensable part of human society. It is ubiquitous: wherever there are human beings, there is language. Human language has two forms: listening‑speaking (oral language) is primary, while reading‑writing (written language) is secondary.
语言是人类社会不可或缺的一部分。语言无处不在：有人的地方就有语言。人类语言存在两种形式：听‑说（口头语言）是第一性的，读‑写（书面语言）是第二性的。
Language serves key functions: it is a major tool for communication; it records and passes down human knowledge and culture; it also shapes human thinking. Language is alive and keeps changing with social development.
语言承担重要功能：它是主要交际工具；记录并传承人类知识与文化；同时塑造人类思维。语言是活的，会随着社会发展不断演变。
People hold many mystic, popular views and misconceptions about language. Modern linguistics tells us language is a social symbolic system. Grammar is descriptive rather than merely prescriptive. All natural human languages are equally complex and complete.
人们对语言存在不少神秘主义、通俗看法以及各类误解。现代语言学指出：语言是社会符号系统。语法是描述性的，而不只是规定性的。所有人类自然语言都同等复杂、完备。
As for the origins of language, there is no conclusive evidence. Classic hypotheses such as bow‑wow theory, pooh‑pooh theory and yo‑he‑ho theory are insufficient. Modern research believes language comes from long‑term biological and social evolution.
关于语言起源，目前尚无确凿证据。摹声说、感叹说、劳动呼喊说等经典假说都存在不足。现代研究认为语言源于长期的生物进化与社会进化。
Further Explorations 拓展思考
Many language‑related questions still await deeper research. You may reflect on the following questions:
许多和语言相关的问题仍有待深入研究。你可以思考以下问题：

    If human beings had no language, what would our society and thinking be like?
    假如人类没有语言，我们的社会与思维会是什么样子？
    Why do misunderstandings frequently occur in oral communication even among people who speak the same language?
    为什么即便说同一种语言，口头交际中也经常发生误解？
    How does modern internet influence the change of human language? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
    现代互联网如何影响语言的演变？有哪些利弊？
    Why should we respect different languages and dialect varieties?
    我们为什么应当尊重不同的语言与方言变体？
    Can animals really learn human language? What is the difference between animal signals and human language?
    动物是否真的能够学会人类语言？动物信号和人类语言的区别是什么？