Chapter 1 – Animal Communication and Human Language – Linguistics and Animal Behavior
Study Guide
continuity view - ANS ✔✔language evolved gradually from system of gestures and calls of
ancestors of modern humans
discontinuity view - ANS ✔✔language is late-developing ability, is complex and is very different
from gestures and calls of ancestors of modern humans
Who coined the phrase "Design Features of Language" and what did he mean by it? - ANS ✔✔-
Charles Hockett, 1960s
- 16 features of human language distinguish human communication from that of animals, found
even in the most basic human languages
Vocal Auditory Channels - ANS ✔✔Spoken language is produced in the vocal tract and
transmitted/heard as sound
Broadcast Transmission and Directional Reception - ANS ✔✔The audible sound of language is
heard in all directions but listeners will interpret it as coming from one specific direction
Rapid Fading - ANS ✔✔The sound made by speech diminishes quickly after being released
Interchangeability - ANS ✔✔The speaker has the ability to receive and also send the same
message
Total Feedback - ANS ✔✔Individuals are able to hear and internalize a message they have sent
Semanticity - ANS ✔✔Speech sounds can be linked to specific meanings
Study Guide
continuity view - ANS ✔✔language evolved gradually from system of gestures and calls of
ancestors of modern humans
discontinuity view - ANS ✔✔language is late-developing ability, is complex and is very different
from gestures and calls of ancestors of modern humans
Who coined the phrase "Design Features of Language" and what did he mean by it? - ANS ✔✔-
Charles Hockett, 1960s
- 16 features of human language distinguish human communication from that of animals, found
even in the most basic human languages
Vocal Auditory Channels - ANS ✔✔Spoken language is produced in the vocal tract and
transmitted/heard as sound
Broadcast Transmission and Directional Reception - ANS ✔✔The audible sound of language is
heard in all directions but listeners will interpret it as coming from one specific direction
Rapid Fading - ANS ✔✔The sound made by speech diminishes quickly after being released
Interchangeability - ANS ✔✔The speaker has the ability to receive and also send the same
message
Total Feedback - ANS ✔✔Individuals are able to hear and internalize a message they have sent
Semanticity - ANS ✔✔Speech sounds can be linked to specific meanings
