All About Language

A language disorder is impaired comprehension and/or use of spoken, written and/or other symbol systems. The disorder may involve (1) the form of language (phonology, morphology, syntax), (2) the content of language (semantics), and/or (3) the function of language in communication (pragmatics) in any combination.

1. Form of Language
   1. Phonology is the sound system of a language and the rules that govern the sound combinations.
   2. Morphology is the system that governs the structure of words and the construction of word forms.
   3. Syntax is the system governing the order and combination of words to form sentences, and the relationships among the elements within a sentence.
2. Content of Language
   1. Semantics is the system that governs the meanings of words and sentences.
3. Function of Language
   1. Pragmatics is the system that combines the above language components in functional and socially appropriate communication

Reference:American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (1993). Definitions of communication disorders and variations [Relevant Paper]. Available from www.asha.org/policy.