A language is defined by a shared system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication.

the verdict

SUPPORTED

the evidence backs this

Recorded sources

2 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

AS REPORTEDno primary record reached; this is what the reporting says

Is it true that a language is defined by a shared system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication?

Yes. The claim is supported by authoritative references explicitly defining language as a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 2 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 4 Aug 2026

How claims like this are judged

Judged against reference works: claims of this kind are settled by reference works, not journal abstracts.

Evidence for · 2

Book: Handbook of Human Symbolic Evolution

1996

Explicitly cites Sapir's definition that language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication.

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Lock, A. & Peters, C. R. (1996). Book: Handbook of Human Symbolic Evolution. Oxford University Press, USA. http://books.google.com/books?id=xJ4QAQAAIAAJ&dq=A+language+is+defined+by+a+shared+system+of+arbitrary+vocal+symbols+used+for+human+communication.&hl=&as_pt=BOOKS&source=gbs_api

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More for · 1

Book: An Integrated Approach to Early Literacy

1994

Directly states that language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication.

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Glazer, S. M. & Burke, E. M. (1994). Book: An Integrated Approach to Early Literacy. Pearson Education. http://books.google.com/books?id=ef5JAAAAYAAJ&dq=A+language+is+defined+by+a+shared+system+of+arbitrary+vocal+symbols+used+for+human+communication.&hl=&as_pt=BOOKS&source=gbs_api

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Is it true that Ray Tomlinson first used the '@' symbol to address users in network communication? SUPPORTED related question, same topic

Receipt History

first checked04 Aug 2026

judged → SUPPORTED · 7504 Aug 2026

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