Introductory notes on the theory of communication

Wilson (1975) Sociobiology: Communication occurs when the action of or cue given by one
organism is perceived by and thus alters the probability pattern of behavior in another organism
in a fashion adaptive to either one or both of the participants.

Hailman (1977) Ethology: Communication is the transfer of information via signals sent in a
channel between a sender and a receiver. The occurrence of communication is recognized by a
difference inthe behavior of the reputed receiver in two situations that differ only in the presence
or absence of the reputed signal .... the effect of a signal may be to prevent a change in the
receiver's output, or to maintain a specific internal behavioral state of readiness.

Krebs and Davies (1993) Behavioral ecology:The process in which actors use specially designed
signals or displays to modify the behaviour of reactors.

A cue is any feature that an organism can use as a guide to display a particular behaviour or series
of behaviours. A signal is a perceivable behaviour or feature that has evolved and has acquired
the specific characteristic of conveying information about the signaller or the signaller’s
environment. ontogenetic ritualisation

Roman Osipovich Jakobson (1896-1982)

Communicative Functions of Language

Referential: The blue book is mine.

Emotive: I couldn’t wait to see you.

Conative: You must see this film.

Phatic: Looks like rain again.

Metalinguistic: Dog is a noun.

Poetic: Death is the Mother of Beauty.

Performative: I pronounce you guilty.