Features of Language
Kimberly Porter Martin, Ph.D.
16 Features of Language
1)Uses the Vocal-auditory channel can be done while doing other
things
2)Uses broadcast transmission - need
not see speaker to understand
message
3)Uses directional reception stereoscopic sound locates speaker
4)Interchangeability - 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
These three animals
communicate in ways
that seem similar to
language. How do their
communication modes
compare with the
features of language?
Animal Communication
Is it language?
Videos
When Animals Talk?
Can Apes Talk?
Powerpoint Study Guide
Communication
Non-Verbal
Communication
Kinesics
Proxemics
Verbal Communication
Kinesics
Proxemics
Kinesics
Vocal-auditory channel
Broadcast transmission
Directional reception
Interchangeability
Discreteness
Displacement
Open system
Duality of patterning
Cultural transmission
Prevarication
Reflexiveness
Learnability