Is Either Of These Language Design? (2.13)

Language design is an art, and you cant say it's this or this, but some disagree. So let us dissect two separate statements that claim to be 'language design':

1. Language design is compiler construct.
2. Language design is software engineering.

 First of all, I've noticed that these two statements are just so general and not very self-explanatory. For instance, how can language design be software engineering if software engineering is already the term used to describe the process of writing applications from spec to maintenance, using a programming language. It can't be both the use of the language and the creation of it? Can it?

To say that language design is compiler construct, is like saying an English grammar book is the English language. A compiler can only enforce the syntax, and "interpret" its meaning. I would say that a compiler has nothing to do with the design of the language.

I think nether of these statements show the whole truth about what programming language design really is. Although, we can't be downcast. I think programming language design is the expressiveness of someone who knows the intents of his endeavor.