16 Features of Language Uses the Vocal-auditory channel can be done while doing other things

Animal and Human Communication What is language and are humans the only ones who have it?

16 Features of Language

• Uses the Vocal-auditory channel - can be done while doing other things

• Uses broadcast transmission - need not see speaker to understand message

• Uses directional reception - stereoscopic sound locates speaker

• Interchangeabiliby - each is capable of saying what any other says - not so male vs female signals in other animals

16 Features of Language

• 5) Complete feedback - speaker hears self and monitors message

• 6) Specialization - is used for no other purpose than communication

• 7) Semanticity – many complex symbols tied to exact meanings

• 8) Arbitrariness - no intrinsic relationship between symbols and their meanings

16 Features of Language

• 9) Discreteness - no continuous sounds (eg. sirens)

• 10) Displacement - can talk about the past, or about things not present spatially

• 11) Open system - can make unique new statements and be understood

• 12) Duality of patterning - sound and meaning are linked

16 Features of Language

• 13) Cultural transmission - no genetic inheritance of specific rules/sounds/meanings

• 14) Prevarication - can lie - most animals cannot

• 15) Reflexiveness - we use language to discuss language

• 16) Learnability - can learn multiple language

Animal Communication

Animal Communication

• Is it language?

• Video

• When Animals Talk