What is Grendel's attitude toward language? How does it change throughout Grendel?

Concerning Grendel's attitude toward language in the
novel, Grendel, remember that according to the world of this novel,
according to the conventions used in the novel, the narrator, Grendel, writes after the
events of the novel have been experienced, at least most of them.  The present of the
novel is the 12th year of his battle with humans, even though most of the novel is
history or background.  Thus, Grendel relates the history of his encounters/experiences
with humans and their/his language.  The narrator's attitude itself doesn't change
throughout the novel, though the novel is in part a record of how his attitude toward
language changed in the past.  The novel is a construct written by the narrator to
relate whatever it is he wants to relate, and part of that includes his changing use of
language. 

Remember, too, that Grendel is an unreliable
narrator.  He writes explaining and arguing for specific philosophies.  (The novel is
kept from being didactic or preachy by numerous means, however--one of the most
important being that Grendel loses.)

All that said, the
most important element of Grendel's attitude toward language is the love-hate
relationship he has with it. 

The Shaper recreates reality
with lies, according to Grendel, and lies involve the use of language, of course.  Truth
means nothing to the Shaper.  He turns losses into wins.  He gives hope where there is
none.  He slants and turns the truth to form his lies.  Unferth, too, spouts untruths
with his bold words, and the humans as a whole sing at funerals, turning what should be
sad, hopeless occassions into celebrations.

The reader
isn't told how it is that Grendel can understand the humans and can himself speak and
use language, and humans are surprised when they hear him actually speak.  This
highlights the subject of language in the novel, brings attention to it.  As mentioned,
Grendel thinks little of the human uses of
language.

Simultaneously, however, Grendel also relates his
own attempts at becoming an artist.  In fact, the novel itself is his crowning artistic
achievement.  It is the "monster" as artist.  It is his imitation, or in his view, his
improvement on what the Shaper and other humans
do. 

Specifically, in addition to writing the novel as a
whole, Grendel first shows the reader his early attempt at poetry.  He then demonstrates
his improvement as a poet, revealing later in the novel poetry of a much higher
quality.  He writes one chapter as a screenplay.  He is an emerging
artist.

Grendel draws attention to his language and his art
throughout the novel.  He is witty, and he is proud of it.  He, the supposedly stupid
monster, is clever, humorous, creative, and highly intelligent, as he demonstrates with
his use of language.

The novel, at its center, is of course
about reality vs. art.  Grendel's philosophy comes down on the side of reality, and
humans on the side of art.  Yet, echoing his philosophical beliefs, Grendel uses art to
entertain himself and somehow survive the tediousness of
existence.