Språk

Språk is the Swedish term for language, the system of communication used by humans to convey meaning. A language consists of conventional sounds or signs and a grammar that determines how words and sentences are formed and understood. Languages are expressed through speech and writing, and in many communities also through signs and other modalities. Core components include phonology (sound patterns), morphology (word formation), syntax (sentence structure), semantics (meaning), and pragmatics (contextual use).

Languages vary across communities and over time. They have dialects and registers, and may change through processes such as borrowing and reform. Linguists classify languages into families that reflect historical origins, such as Indo-European, Uralic, or Sino-Tibetan. Writing systems, when present, provide a durable representation of language. Language contact can create pidgins, creoles, or bilingual forms. Sign languages exist as natural languages with their own grammar and are not necessarily related to the surrounding spoken languages.

Language is central to culture, education, governance and personal identity. It shapes thought, social interaction, and access to information. Many languages are endangered as speakers shift toward more dominant languages. Language policy and planning address education, official status, media, and access to resources. Multilingualism is common in many regions, and technologies such as keyboards and speech recognition influence how languages are used today.