Table of Contents
Communication -- What it is, and who uses it?
Both in-animate and animate objects communicate.
There are two types of signals: graded & combinative.
There are three types of messages: Nominal, Expressive and Predicative.
Nominal messages are carried by signals called signs.
A stomach rumbling is a nominal sign indicating that someone is probably hungry.
Bees do not use language to communicate.
Bees have no words. They create Nominal Graded messages.
Newly born infants do not have language. They create Nominal Graded messages.
Cicadas do not have language. They create Nominal Combinative messages.
Parrots do not use language. They create Nominal Combinative messages.
Babies from 3 to 6 months do not use language. They create Nominal Combinative messages--almost.
Babbling is NOT language but it is a "Species Specific" behavior which is a harbinger of its development.
Expressive communications involve more control, with emotional decisions being made by the communicator.
The signs of body language are NOT language. They are an expressive graded communication.
Swearing is NOT language. It is an expressive combinative communication.
The left hemisphere is typically a segmental (Language) processor. The right hemisphere is a gestalt processor.
It's the right hemisphere that swears.
Signs are calls to action, and are necessary for survival.
Signs typically have an iconic or cause and effect connection to their referents
Messages transmitted by signs are not language.
Language is a Predicative Combinative Communication which uses a signal called a symbol.
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Author: Ed Hall
Email: ehall@csun.edu
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