A language is a system used to facilitate communication among higher animals and/or computers. This article concerns the fundamental features typically found in nearly all natural human languages. For information about artificial languages specifically for computers, see computer language. Higher animals believed to employ audible language only, without symbols, include, but are not limited to, dolphins and whales. For information about this subject, see animal communication.

The Latin word "lingua" is equivalent to the English word "tongue"; the word "language" is intimately related to the word "tongue". Strategic interactions of the tongue with other components of the vocal tract, particularly the teeth and the palate, lead to the living synthesis of human speech.

The term "language" can also refer to the use of such systems as a general phenomenon. "Language" is also used to refer to the common properties of the various languages.

In 20th century, prominent scholars have argued that the problem of language is emerging as the central preoccupa­tion of our time.