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Classification of languages by these two parameters of abstraction anf
formalization leads to the following four types of language-related
activities [Tur77].
~ Concrete language Abstract language
~
~
Unformalized Art Philosophy
language
~
~
Formalized Descriptive Theoretical
language sciences sciences,
~ mathematics
Art is characterized by unformalized and concrete language.
Words and language elements of other types are important only as
symbols which evoke definite complexes of mental images and
emotions. Philosophy is characterized by abstract informal thinking.
The combination of high-level abstract constructs used in
philosophy with a low degree of formalization requires great
effort by the intuition and makes philosophical language the most
difficult type of the four. Philosophy borders with art when it
uses artistic images to stimulate the intuition. It borders with
theoretical science when it develops conceptual frameworks to be
used in construction of formal scientific theories. The language
of descriptive science must be concrete and precise;
formalization of syntax by itself does not play a large part, but rather
acts as a criterion of the precision of semantics.
