Abstract

This article analyzes Herder’s conception of language through the Essay on the origin of language. Human beings have developed at the same time awareness and language in order to fill the gap that the loss of natural nstinct leaves. To explain this process Herder defends a kind of naturalistic position against both arbitrary and divine origin of language. One of his main points is the influence of signals in symbols. On one hand, thanks to signals we can grasp and keep what is at the heart of the experience. On the other hand, human nature is a mixture of sense and reason so that signals have a close relation with symbols which are, in spite of that, freely chosen. From this peculiar choice derives the idiosyncrasy of every language. Through this process each culture has built up its language in a particular way of thinking their reality, arranging the meaning of words to guide the speakers