Understand how communication is different in humans to animals, including:…

The idea

Human and animal communication share similarities, such as using signals for survival, mating, and territory. However, human language is vastly more complex. Aitchison (1983) identified key criteria distinguishing human language: semanticity (using symbols to mean specific things), displacement (communicating about things not physically present, like the past or future), structure dependence (using grammar), and creativity (producing infinite novel sentences). While animals like bees show limited displacement when communicating food location, they lack creativity and structure dependence. A key difference is that animal communication is largely innate and closed, whereas human language is learned, open-ended, and highly flexible.

What earns the marks

• Identify Aitchison's criteria for language, including semanticity, displacement, structure dependence, and creativity.
• Explain displacement as the ability to discuss events, concepts, or objects that are not currently present in time or space.
• Compare human and animal communication by identifying a similarity, such as the use of vocal or visual signals to convey basic needs or warnings.
• Contrast human and animal communication by explaining that human language is open and creative, while animal communication is typically a closed system with a fixed number of signals.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Believing animals possess true language.

  Put it right: Understand that while animals communicate effectively, their systems do not meet all of Aitchison's criteria for true language, particularly creativity and structure dependence.

• Confusing displacement with semanticity.

  Put it right: Displacement refers to time and space (things not physically present), while semanticity refers to specific sounds or signs having specific, agreed-upon meanings.

• Assuming animal communication is entirely learned.

  Put it right: Recognise that most animal communication is innate and instinctive, whereas human language requires significant learning and social interaction.

Exam tips

• Memorise Aitchison's four main criteria (semanticity, displacement, structure dependence, creativity) and be able to define each clearly with an example.
• Use specific examples of animal communication, such as the waggle dance of honey bees, to illustrate concepts like limited displacement.
• When asked for differences, explicitly state the human feature and the contrasting animal feature to ensure a complete and balanced comparison.