Charles Hockett's 16 design features of human language (versus Animal) - English Language

Main Ideas and Concepts

• Purpose / research angle: The video frames the topic as Charles Hockett’s “design features” of human language, focusing on how to distinguish human language from animal communication.

• Source of the features: These features originate in work published around 1960, and were later refined/organized around 1966. The presenter recommends starting with the original short article (about six pages, including diagrams).

• Method used by Hockett: Hockett proposes criteria (the 16 features). The video explains an approach where you:

  • collect examples of animal language systems thought to be relatively “human-like,”
  • test whether those systems show the same features,
  • and use which features appear (or don’t) to characterize human language.

• Core task for the viewer (assignment-style): Instead of simply listing the 16 features, the viewer is instructed to create a meaningful taxonomy:

  • define each feature,
  • decide an ordering (often “most important to least”),
  • group them coherently,
  • and optionally exclude some or reorganize them in a structure you design.

Note on the feature count: the subtitle text names “final three” as prevarication, reflexiveness, learnability, but it also refers to “16 design features.” The transcription indicates these three clearly and implies the total should be 16; minor accounting differences may exist due to subtitle inconsistency.

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The 16 Design Features (Grouped and Explained as Presented)

Group 1: Core Structural Properties (first set)

1. Duality of pattern Language has two levels:

   • meaningless units (sounds)
   • meaningful arrangements (words/utterances) Example idea: you can hear sounds without understanding meaning if the language is unknown.

2. Productivity Language allows speakers to produce an infinite range of new messages—e.g., sentences/thoughts that have never been said before.

3. Arbitrariness The connection between sounds/words and what they refer to is not naturally required. Example: “tree” versus words in other languages; onomatopoeia is an exception-like contrast.

4. Onomatopoeia (mentioned within the arbitrariness context) Some words imitate sounds (e.g., punch, slap, crack, hop). Example contrast: dog sounds differ across languages (English “woof,” Russian “gav,” Japanese “wan”).

5. Interchangeability Communicators can both send and receive messages. Contrast: some animal systems are one-way (signalers can’t necessarily interpret/receive as humans do).

6. Specialization Human language is primarily for communication. Animal communication may have other primary purposes besides communication.

7. Displacement Language can refer to non-present situations:

   • past events (“yesterday”)
   • future plans
   • hypothetical/alternate scenarios Contrast: animal signals often relate to immediate context (e.g., barking due to current fear or happiness).

8. Transmission (cultural learning aspect) Meanings and forms are passed through a cultural process—people learn how words and meanings fit their culture/worldview.

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Group 2: Modality / Production & Perception + Related Properties (next six)

1. Vocal-auditory channel (or “oracy” emphasis) Human language commonly uses spoken sound through hearing. The presenter notes that sign language exists and later “fixes up” the earlier speech-focused framing.

2. Broadcast transmission / directional reception Speech is sent outward (broadcast-like) and received by listeners who can interpret that the utterance is directed toward them.

3. Rapid fading / transitoriness Spoken messages disappear quickly after being produced (unlike writing unless recorded).

4. Total feedback Speakers can hear their own speech (including errors) and correct in real time.

5. Semanticity Language signals have meaning.

6. Discreteness Language uses small, distinct units that can be combined into structured messages. Analogy: like using a finite letter set to create many words (scrabble-style).

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Group 3: Later / Refined Features (final three described as “cleaned up”)

1. Prevarication Language can express false statements (not restricted to truth).

2. Reflexiveness Language can talk about language itself—e.g., writing about writing, teaching speaking/writing, or studying linguistics.

3. Learnability Language can be learned beyond one’s first language (humans can acquire additional languages).

(See note above regarding total-feature accounting.)

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Presenter’s Instructions / Methodology (Assignment Steps)

1. Use the right starting material

   • Read the original source (Hockett’s article from ~1960).
   • Treat it as the “port of core” starting point.
   • Use diagrams/figures from the article as referenced.

2. Understand Hockett’s evaluation approach

   • Take animal communication examples (the “good” or “human-like” cases).
   • Compare each system against the listed design features.
   • Identify which features appear and which do not.

3. Create your own ordering and structure

   • Put all (claimed) 16 features into a meaningful order.
   • Decide a ranking from “most important to least.”

4. Build a taxonomy (assignment-style output)

   • A taxonomy is a grouping of information that makes sense (example given: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs).
   • Group features based on your ranking and reasoning.
   • You may exclude some features if you choose.

5. Present your work

   • You can create:
     • an “appendix” listing the features with your notes, and
     • a grouped layout/visual aid.
   • One suggested idea: note features that are common to all communication systems and not found universally in animal systems (though final grouping is up to you).

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Speakers / Sources Featured

• Charles Hockett (primary source of the “16 design features of human language”)

• Hockett’s publications/articles referenced

  • An origins of speech / 1960 article (described as ~six pages with diagrams)
  • A 1966 note on design features (presenter says he “cleaned up”/reorganized notes)

• Maslow (referenced as an example for building a taxonomy: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs)

• Sign language channel examples

  • ASL, Auslan, BSL (mentioned as examples of non-vocal communication channels)