concepts, genes and memes.

Three Words of Explanation.

Is there a logical starting point to a discussion of language?

I will answer that with a simple and straightforward response- No.

Learning a spoken language is not like learning Arithmetic. Rote learning of the counting numbers seems essential to grasping arithmetical operations leading to the skills of addition, subtraction and multiplication, but grasping knowledge of the alphabet is not a requirement of learning a spoken language, yet the alphabet is fundamental to the written word.
The three R's, reading, 'riting and 'rithmatic create a conceptual conundrum by the phrase not making rational sense. Our educational systems clearly leave a great deal to be desired, but the fundamentals of education are indeed the three R's, and the term refers to the concept of language without direct reference to the spoken aspect of linguistics.

Language is use of symbols. Language is use of symbols. Language = use of symbols.

As a starting point I will begin by considering three words- CONCEPT, GENE and MEME.