Communication Foundations: Signs, Codes & Language Varieties

Communication: Foundation of Social Life

Communication is the foundation of social life by which beings produce and transmit information related to partners. The transmitter produces and sends information that directs the receiver toward communication. The exchange often focuses on emotion in close relationships, whether coming from the issuer or appealed to the consignee, and the interaction may seek to influence.

Information, Message and Code

Information relates to the reality to which we refer. A message is the conceptualization of the referent. A code is a limited set of signs and rules with which the message is constructed. Language performs multiple functions: the referential function represents the message objectively; the poetic function focuses on beautifying the statement; and the metalinguistic function comments on the code itself.

Signs: Icons, Symbols and Symptoms

Signs are the minimal units of natural communicative systems. We represent reality using signs or symptoms. Some signs are natural (symptoms), showing physical proximity to their cause—for example, fire and smoke.

Icons have a relationship of resemblance to the actual meaning (e.g., drawings, pictograms). Symbols are arbitrary signs that operate by convention or analogy with the referent.

Nonlinguistic Visual Codes

Nonlinguistic codes include visual and sensory channels beyond words. Examples:

• Signals and gestures
• Kinesics (body language)
• Proxemics (use of space)
• Etiquette and social relevance cues
• Tactile, olfactory, and gustatory signals

Language Codes and Verbal Signs

Language codes consist of verbal signs: the conceptualization of the referent and the signifier used to communicate. Verbal signs give character to messages and allow speakers to encode nuanced meanings.

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Language as a Social Ability

Language is the ability to communicate through signs. It has a universal power that is articulated and embodied by particular social communities through systems of signs belonging to specific codes. Speech and code usage differentiate each speaker or group of speakers.

Diversification Factors

Variation in language and communication arises from multiple factors, including:

• Place of residence
• Access to education and culture
• Occupation
• Personal preferences (likes and dislikes)
• Age and sex
• Family background
• Cultural level

Vocalization (Vocal Features)

Vocalization includes accurate phonetic articulation of syllables and phonemes, correct intonation of words, elegant speech patterns, and the use of prosodic resources such as emphasis.

Lexical Features

Lexical features include an extensive vocabulary, use of technical terminology, a repertoire of synonyms, enumerations, formal lexis, buzzwords, and catchphrases.

Morphosyntactic Features

Morphosyntactic features concern coherence, grammatical agreement, correct use of tenses, connectors, and the structure of sentences. They also include whether sentences are complete or unfinished.

Lexical-Restricted Code

A restricted lexical code typically shows a shortage of synonyms, adjectives, and adverbs; reliance on vague terms; emotional or vulgar lexical choices; and a familiar or colloquial tone.

High-Tone and Morphosyntax

High-toned speech is marked by intonation of the voice, claims, denials, and exclamations. In contrast, some morphosyntactic patterns display short sentences, hesitations, low consistency, and poverty in the syntactic organization of the text.

Specialized Languages, Jargon and Slang

Specialized languages and professional jargon arise from the needs of particular fields: medical, legal, technical, sports, and other professional domains each develop their own terms. Slang and colloquial expressions appear in many social groups.

Jargon can be professional terminology used for precision. In extreme cases, jargon and slang act as secret codes used by marginalized groups to avoid being understood by the wider society. When language becomes overly insular, it can appear detached from shared reality.