What is the difference between language and script?

language refers to a method of spoken communication. It has its vocabulary, grammar, etc. In comparison, a script refers to a method of written communication. It has its collection of symbols or characters. These symbols represent a concept, a sound, or a word of a language. They are combined to transcribe the language. 

Same script for writing multiple languages

  • Dari, Kashmiri, etc., are different languages, but the written script is Perso-Arabic script.
  • English, French, German, and Italian are other languages, but the written script is Roman.
  • Hindi, Marathi, Nepali, etc., are different languages, but again written script is Devanagari.

Different scripts for a language

  • Konkani is a language spoken in the southern part of India, written in approximately six different scripts, including Devanagari and Roman.
  • Punjabi is a language that is spoken both in India and Pakistani. However, it is written in Shahmukhi script in Pakistan and Gurmukhi script in India.

Association between language and script

It often creates confusion that spoken form will be mutually intelligible if the same script is used for written communication. But it is not always true.

For example, Hindi and Nepali languages use Devanagari script, but spoken forms are different. A person knowing the Hindi language does not understand Nepali without prior exposure to the language. 

Another example, Dari and Farsi, both use the same Perso-Arabic script, and even their spoken forms are mutually intelligible. It means a person has the knowledge of Dari and can easily understand Farsi without putting in any significant effort.


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