Design Features Flashcards
What is a Design Feature
A list of descriptive features something must have to be a language, first created by Charles Hockett
Mode of Communication
The design feature of how a language communicates information
Semanticity
The design feature that all signals must have a meaning
Pragmatic Function
The design feature that languages must serve a useful purpose
Interchangeability
The design feature that uses of a language can both communicate and understand
Cultural Transmission
The design feature that languages are culturally learned
Arbitrariness
The design feature that most signals in a language don’t have connection between Form and Meaning
Discreteness
The design feature that language is made of smaller meaningful bits
Displacement
The design feature that language can communicate about things which are not present
Productivity
The design feature that language can communicate and understand infinite new sentences
Universal Design Features
Mode of Communication
Semanticity
Pragmatic Function
All communication systems have a medium and communicate useful information
Partial Design Features
Interchangeability (elephant infrasound)
Cultural Transmission (dolphin song)
Arbitrariness (lizard blueness)
Discreteness (honeybee dance)
Unique Design Features
“Probably” Displacement
Productivity
