This article considers the social essence of language as one of the main theoretical issues of modern linguistics. The transfer of word meaning as a specific manifestation of the existence of the language system is analyzed from the perspective of the existence of language, semiotics and information theory. The author emphasizes that there are still difficulties in fully resolving the fact that language is a social phenomenon, its application to lexis, grammar, stylistics, norms and its variants. It is noted that scientists who recognize the social aspects of lexis often do not connect grammar with society.