Cosmolinguistics: Necessary Components for the Emergence of a Language-Like Communication System in a Habitable Planet

Abstract

The emergence of human language is one of the biggest wonders in the universe. In this chapter, I define “a language-like communication system” and examine the components necessary for the emergence of such a system, not only on Earth but in any habitable planet. Human language is a unique system among animal communication. Language is a system of transmitting an infinite variety of meanings by combining a finite number of tokens based on a set of rules. Language is not only used in communication but also in thinking. Thus, language is a system that enables compositional semantics. I propose that at least three components are necessary for the emergence of a language-like system: segmentation of context and behavior, the association between them, and the honesty of the emitted signals. When a signal conveys sufficient information regarding the behavioral state of the sender, that signal is defined as “honest,” meaning that its production incurs physiological, temporal, and social costs. I explain each of these conditions and discuss the possibility of “language as it could be” on other planets. I also extend my argument to the future of linguistic communication.