Published March 20, 2020 | Version v1
Journal article Open

An Assessment of the Relationship Between Language and Logic

Description

Human being is a thinking and talking creature. Human being differentiates itself from other creatures by being a talking and thinking creature. Human being exports his emotion, thought, experience, knowledge and skill through language. People can use the language to communicate among themselves as long as they exist. It is important to use the language correctly, properly and consistently while communication takes place. Therefore, people should use language correctly and consistently while sharing their thoughts among themselves. In addition, logic is needed for shared thinking to be consistent.

Human being needs language and logic to make sound thinking, to make accurate and precise judgments and to use valid and consistent arguments. Language, which is the most important sign and means of human and civilization, allows people to express their feelings, thoughts and desires, as well as maintain their lives. Language, which is the carrier of thought or meaning, is indispensable for the transmission of thought. When the logic, which plays an important role in the thought being correct and consistent, is known, we can say that the truth can be distinguished from the wrong and invalid, as well as the comprehension of the meaning from the wrong one. The subject of logic is logical thinking. Therefore, logic is defined as “knowledge of correct thinking rules”. The common denominator of logic and language is 'thinking'. Because both logic and language are closely related to ‘thinking’. Considering the relationship of language with thought and the relationship of thought with logic, logic is also closely related to language.

Logic is the means of thinking right. Language is the dress of thought. It is essentially thought that shapes the language or shapes the language. Thoughts must be expressed in language, because if we do not express our thoughts in language, we will not be able to analyze them logically. Reasoning is a form of thinking. Reasoning needs to be expressed in language and take the form of an argument. Arguments also form the subject of logic. It can be said that logic is actually an outward process that continues with thought and has the opportunity to express itself through language. When logic is said, it is thought to express the language with thought. For this reason, language, thought and logic have a strict and tight relationship among themselves.

Thanks to logic, the act of thinking is healthy, sound (in terms of knowledge), consistent and accurate. The correct thought regulated by the rules of logic goes wrong when there are no logic rules. Hence, if sound thought has occurred thanks to logic, the possibility of a sound language has increased.

One of the reasons why we can easily talk about the existence of a close relationship between language and logic is: Grammar gives the rules of speaking correctly and logic thinking correctly. What language relates to words is the relationship between logic and concepts. However, logic refers to the laws of the thought of all mankind, while it contains rules about the language of a grammatical nation. Logic, which protects our minds from falling into error, finds a space for expression through language. Thoughts and concepts that qualify as right or wrong occur through language. Therefore, in order to determine the logical validity of any reasoning, it must be expressed through language and gained an argument form. So logic deals with arguments that are the linguistic expression of reasoning. Therefore, the logic that deals with arguments has a bond and relationship that does not break with language.

Logic means internal speech and external speech. The inner speech is the mind-setting of the minded meanings. The logic renders the outer speech error-free after solidifying the inner speech phase. Foreign speech takes place in language. It is possible for language to change from very meaningful to single meaning with the rules of logic. In short, we can say that internal speech is logic and external speech is language designed with logic rules. For this reason, language and logic belong to a whole.

A person who seeks to think logically, to make the right judgments and to use valid arguments first needs reason, logic and language. Therefore, logic and language play an important role in conducting a healthy communication. For this reason, logic and language are needed for communication. Consequently, language and logic must be together. In this case, it shows us that the relationship between language and logic must always continue strongly.

In short, people who use language in all areas of life must also use logic. Because if the human does not act in accordance with the rules of logic, it is inevitable for the human mind to fall into error. For this reason, logic is important together with language in the lives of people who are often in communication. Because logic without language and language without logic is insignificant. Therefore, it is not possible to think of “language” without “logic” and “logic” without “language”.

Files

6_Eskiyeni_ISSN 2636-8536_Issue_40_March_2020_ Article_4_pages_95-106_by_Coşkun_Baba.pdf