Language, considered as a liberal art, is examined in the light of other philosophical viewpoints concerning the nature of language in relation to second language instruction in this paper. Critical of an earlier mechanistic audio-lingual learning theory, translation approaches to language learning, vocabulary list-oriented courses, graduate "reading exams", and other artificial language experiences, the author lauds the contributions of transformational-generative grammar theory, particularly the work of Noam Chomsky, for freeing language from the narrow confines of behavioral approaches to language instruction. A strong defense of literature is made, proposing that literature is the noblest form of language and, as such, is the proper study of language students. The use of literature to encourage language study is urged. (RL)