Functionally Referential Signals

Question 1

Two Criteria

Answer 1

1) Context specific production, reacting to a signal

2) Stimulus independent responses, signals are responded too even if the stimulus is not present

Question 2

Link With Human Language

Fitch and zuberhühler 2013

Answer 2

In terms of production; continuity between non-human primate vocal perception and human semantic interpretation

Question 3

Design Features of Language. Pt 1

Answer 3

1) Semantics and arbitrariness
Signals have a specific meaning and there is no connection between the signal structure and meaning

For example, the word cat only means so because we’ve said so but it isn’t like a cat.

Question 4

Design Features of Language. Pt 2

Answer 4

2) Duality of meaning
Meaningless sounds can be combined to make meaningful sounds, such as words or gestures. Which in tern are combined to make longer meaningful structures, like sentences or gesture sequences.

Question 5

Design Features of Language. Pt 1

Answer 5

3) Traditional transmission

Signals are not innate but socially learnt.

Question 6

Design Features of Language. Pt 4

Answer 6

4) Displacement
Able to communicate something that’s not present.

Only human communication does this.

Question 7

Liebal et al, 2013

Answer 7

‘Functionally referential signals, if evident would provide evidience of continuity between human and animal communication’

Question 8

Levels of Arousal

Answer 8

FRS are unlikely to be a result of variation in the levels of arousal that the predators cause, which is untrue as a snake does not cause as much fear as a cat or eagle in the vervet alarm call system (Sayfarth, Cheney and Marler, 1980)