The basic principle of the subject is that God created everything through the Word. The Word became flesh through Jesus Christ. (John 1:14). Man is created in the image of God which implies that there is a clear distinction between the language of animals and the language of man (Gen. 1:26). That is why Adam named the animals and not vice versa (Gen.
2:20).
The Word of God teaches us the following about the language of man:
- Man is tasked with naming everything in creation as part of their cultural mandate. God wants man to give expression through language to the glory of His creation.
- Language serves as a means of communication for mankind. The assignment man receives must be executed through his language.
- Man communicates amongst others with God through language. This language enables children to pray to God.
- Different languages originated through God. In Genesis 11:7 and 8 we read about the confusion created by God at the tower of
- Babel through different languages. In Acts 2:11 we read about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost where everyone heard the gospel in his/her native language. In Revelation 7:9 we read about every nation, tribe, people and their language. God wants to be served in all languages and, therefore, children should be educated in their mother tongue.
- Language has a structure in the order that God created it. This is taught to learners to enable them to correctly formulate what they want to say.
- Cursing and swearing cannot be viewed as literary freedom. In literacy, we should devote ourselves to Biblical values.
