Which term describes the rule-governed symbol system used to convey meaning in language?

• A. Speech
• B. Language
• C. Communication
• D. Pragmatics

Answer: (B)

Language is the rule-governed system of symbols used to convey meaning. It combines arbitrary signs—sounds, letters, or signs—with structured rules (grammar, syntax, morphology) so we can create and understand an endless array of ideas. Speech is just one way of expressing language through spoken sounds, not the system itself. Pragmatics focuses on how context affects meaning in use, and communication is the broader process of sending and receiving messages (which can involve language or other means). So the term that describes the rule-governed symbol system is language.