The question “Why do we use language?” seems hardly to require an answer. But, as is often the way with linguistic questions, our everyday familiarit… - David Crystal

" "

The question “Why do we use language?” seems hardly to require an answer. But, as is often the way with linguistic questions, our everyday familiarity with speech and writing can make it difficult to appreciate the complexity of the skills, we have learned. This is particularly so when we try to define the range of functions to which language can be put.