The role of language in society

Abstract

'Why have you chosen this subject at all?' some of you may feel inclined to ask. This is not a Congress of Linguists, but a gathering of Private Schools teachers. I see your point and I chink I owe you an explanation, but I certainly do not owe you an apology for choosing this subject. For what subject plays a larger and more significant part than language in the schools both as the medium of instruction and itself a subject matter of intense study in a country that, rightly, attaches great importance to the teaching of languages? The premise from which I draw the conclusion of such importance is justified by the importance of the social purpose that Language serves.