What is the difference between language and communication?

in what ways is a gesture such as pointing like language? in what ways is it different? even infants can communicate. what is the benefit of learning language vs. continuing to use the more primitive forms of communication?What is the difference between language and communication?
The question you asked begs an answer about which entire books can -- and have -- been written. So I'll try to keep my answer relatively short.



In my opinion, a simple gesture like pointing is not properly language. Language is a *system* of communication designed for clarity and specificity. Pointing may be a universal indicator, but it leaves extreme ambiguity in the intent of communication. It is situation. If you and I are standing in a room and I point to a computer, you might have no idea what I'm saying. If I point past you, and you look behind and see a charging bull, the communique is much clearer. But it's situational. Language is built as a system for specificity. (Think about sign language, which is far more than just gestures.)



The issue becomes a little tricky because if there is a bull charging behind you and I only shout "Hey! Look!" you may not known where to look (behind you) and dodge out of the way, even though I've used "language." This is one reason to learn language: if we learn a fuller system with more vocabulary, we can better communicate our thoughts. ("Look out behind you! Dodge the bull!") Sometimes more primitive communication will work, and can be similar to language in that information is transferred between parties. But without some sort of system, or language, clarity and specificity are hard to come by.What is the difference between language and communication?
Communication is simply conveying a thought between two or more people. It can be visual, gestural, oral, or by sound (touch as in the case of Helen Keller). Language is a specific form of communication where letters, figures, numbers, characters, gestures, or combination thereof (spoken ,visual or both) is universally accepted by a culture or sub culture to easily facilitate common ideas, expressions, and thoughts. Pointing is a language is cases of ASL.