“Are facial expressions a language?”
Facial expressions are a universal way of expression. Although facial expressions are universal and are instinctive they do not share the same meaning throughout the world. Facial expressions are learnt from birth and are developed throughout life, facial expressions may be crucial to convey emotions; but could facial expressions be considered a language?
In order to determine whether facial expressions are a form of language, one must first define language. The Oxford Dictionary defines language as; the method of human communication. It could be stated that the emotions projected through one person’s facial expressions could be seen and connected to that emotion by another individual. Is this not a form of communication? Was not one persons opinions given to another, hence the two having had communicated? This fits the criteria given by the definition. With this in mind, could facial expressions be considered a language?
An argument against facial expressions being considered a language is that facial expressions are an inadequate form of communication. Facial expressions may allow the simple emotions to be displayed easily such as happiness and sadness, but it is not feasible to fully communicate through facial expressions alone. Facial expressions lack the description and thoroughness possessed by other forms of communication; such as verbal language, sign language, Morse code and Brail. This lack of thoroughness and description hinders facial expressions from being considered a legitimate language.
One major similarity facial expressions share with language is that there are different forms of it; for, they like language differ from country to country. The meanings may alter completely from cul ...