PSYO 2160 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Linguistic Universal, Animal Communication, Yerkish
22 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Non-human language
Approaches
1) Whether their form of communication contains components similar to human language.
2) Can animals acquire language capabilities similar to human?
Fitch, 2005
- It is necessary to know what animals can or cant do to know what aspects of human
language are truly unique.
- If a component of human language is shared with animals it can be studied using
empirical techniques.
Hebb’s view
Reflexive communication: the most elementary form of communication. Reflex like.
Purposive communication: flexible, for a specific goal, when the consequence of the
communicative act is crucial.
Language: communication by a system of symbols. The symbols can be ordered and recorded
(syntax) to change the meanings (semantics). In summary: meaning, symbols, combination.
Language: communication by a system of symbols. The symbols can be order.
Hockett
- Linguistic universal of human language: characteristics of human language versus animal
communication.
- Based on Hokectt we can identify 13 characteristics of human language.
Auditory-vocal channel: sound is used between mouth and ear.
Broadcast transmission: a signal can be heard by any auditory system within earshot, and the
source can be located using ears’ direction-finding ability.
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Document Summary
It is necessary to know what animals can or cant do to know what aspects of human language are truly unique. If a component of human language is shared with animals it can be studied using empirical techniques. Reflexive communication: the most elementary form of communication. Purposive communication: flexible, for a specific goal, when the consequence of the communicative act is crucial. The symbols can be ordered and recorded (syntax) to change the meanings (semantics). Linguistic universal of human language: characteristics of human language versus animal communication. Based on hokectt we can identify 13 characteristics of human language. Auditory-vocal channel: sound is used between mouth and ear. Broadcast transmission: a signal can be heard by any auditory system within earshot, and the source can be located using ears" direction-finding ability. Rapid fading: auditory signals are transitory, and do not await the hearer"s convenience. Interchangeability: speakers of a language can reproduce any linguistic message they can understand.
