I-Language (Internalised Language) is a fundamental linguistic concept coined by Noam Chomsky in his 1986 book Knowledge of Language. It treats language as an internal, individual, and intensional property of the human mind rather than a social construct.
To fully understand I-Language, it is best understood in direct contrast to its counterpart, E-Language (Externalised Language). I-Language vs. E-Language
The core differences between these two concepts center on where language “lives” and how it is studied: I-Language (Internalised) E-Language (Externalised) Definition
The physical, mental representation of language rules stored in an individual’s brain.
The collection of actual spoken utterances, texts, and structural habits of a community. Nature Internal, individual, and intensional. External, social, and extensional. Object of Study
Investigates what a speaker knows implicitly (the cognitive grammar system).
Investigates what people produce (the actual language patterns found in the real world). Monolithic View
Rejects broad, rigid group labels like “English” or “Spanish” as real cognitive entities.
Accepts labels like “Standard English” as real, community-wide conventions. Core Characteristics of I-Language
Leave a Reply