Language is best described as human speech, either spoken or written. A dictionary definition of food is "anything eaten to satisfy appetite and to meet physiological needs for growth, to maintain all body processes, and to supply energy to maintain body temperature and activity" In simple terms:

So too is language. Therefore it is easy to see how these two necessities can compliment and aid the development of each other.

In prehistoric times people obtained food through hunting and gathering. However, when first farmers discovered that they could get food through tillage and keeping animals, they spread their knowledge throughout the world through the medium of language. Even nowadays people are informed of new farming techniques using language - seed packets etc. These come complete with sets of instructions.

Many food types which are indigenous to certain areas, benefit from the use of language. For instance, pizza originated in Italy, but the idea travelled abroad and it became an international favourite. There are a variety of foods which were confined to small areas until the use of language allowed them become popular all over the world. Here are some more examples of food which were originally located in only one country but are now known worldwide:

Scotland - haggis
Switzerland - chocolate
India - curry
China - sweet and sour
Russia - beef stroganoff
Mexico - tortilla
Hungary - goulash
Greece - moussaka
Algeria - couscous

As a result of language, no longer do we have to go abroad to taste the delicacies of foreign cultures, we now have Chinese, Indian and Italian restaurants. As well as that most supermarkets now have a selection of French breads, chips, burgers and lasagnes. And at selected restaurants even frogs legs and snails can be found.

Talented and knowledgeable cooks educate masses of people in culinary skills. Recipe books, cookery shows and word of mouth are all used to broaden the food choices of less well-informed people. While demonstrations of the necessary skills are important, language is the essential ingredient in promoting these meals.

For example when in the 1770's the Earl of Sandwich originally formulated his idea of a sandwich consisting of a slice of roast meat between two slices of bread, this unusual combination soon gained worldwide popularity. It was through word of mouth that this type of snack achieved mass approval. Original and rare concepts in cookery and foodstuffs are best developed when there is a clear method of transferring knowledge to different groups of people. Without language the transfer of this knowledge would be impossible.

While language has undoubtedly been essential in the development of food and nutrition, other advancements have also been of immense help. The arrival of mass media and the new so-called information highway have paved the way for international learning to commence. It is now easier for people to exchange ideas and knowledge. Sushi eatos in Japan can enlighten tortilla eatos in Mexico of their food habits at the touch of a button. Now recipes can be transmitted around the world instantaneously and even the existence of separate languages is no barrier as people have become multi-lingual. Because it is no longer difficult to communicate with others across the globe, people are more aware of foreigner's lifestyles - including their food habits, meal and snacks type etc.

So it is easy to see how essential language has been to the development of food - from agriculture, to recipes, to snack foods. Language is the means by which we learn about each other .

By Olivia Ronayne

Noreen Goggins
Nicola Walsh
Patricia Sloyan
Naomi Hunt
Maria Mulryan