Language or Communication?
by Tom Stewart
1. Design features
1.1. Channel
1.1.1. Vocal-auditory
1.1.2. Interchangeability
1.1.3. Complete feedback
1.2. Semantic features
1.2.1. Semanticity
1.2.2. Arbitrariness
1.2.3. Discreteness
1.2.4. Displacement
1.3. Learning
1.3.1. Cultural transmission
1.3.2. Learnability
1.4. Structure
1.4.1. Creativity
1.4.2. Duality of patterning
1.4.3. Structure dependence
1.5. Use
1.5.1. Control
1.5.2. Specialization
1.5.3. Spontaneous usage
1.5.4. Turn taking
1.5.5. Prevarication
1.5.6. Reflectiveness
2. Extralinguistic influences
2.1. Social custom
2.1.1. Politeness
2.1.1.1. Topic
2.1.1.2. Hierarchy
2.1.1.3. Directness
2.2. World knowledge
2.2.1. Probability
2.2.2. Relationships
2.2.3. Danger
2.3. Human limitations
2.3.1. Sensory
2.3.2. Physical
2.3.3. Cognitive
3. Components of spoken language
3.1. Semantics
3.2. Syntax
3.3. Morphology
3.4. Phonology
3.5. Phonetics
4. Animals
4.1. Birds
4.1.1. Songbirds
4.1.2. Parrots
4.2. Invertebrates
4.2.1. Bees
4.2.2. Fireflies
4.2.3. Silkworms
4.3. Dogs, et al.
4.4. Primates
4.4.1. Monkeys
4.4.2. Apes
4.4.2.1. Chimpanzees
4.4.2.2. Gorillas
4.4.2.3. Bonobos