Primate Vocal Expression of Affective State

Abstract

A major feature of communication, which is all too easy to forget when one specializes in the study of particular aspects of information transmission, is the multifunctionality of signal use. Karl Biihler highlighted the fact that most signals serve several functions simultaneously in his “Organon” model of language arguing that a “sign complex” serves, at the same time, as a symbol, a semantic representation of an object or idea, as symptom, an expression of sender state, and an appeal (“Appell”), provoking a reaction of the receiver. In an attempt to classify the functions of nonverbal signs in conversation, K. R. Scherer (1980) suggested to use the semiotic approach (Morris 1946; Peirce 1931–1935) to differentiate between semantic functions (i.e., nonverbal signs replacing, amplifying, contradicting, or modifying verbal signs), pragmatic functions (expression of sender state, reactions, and intentions), and dialogic functions (relationship between sender and receiver, regulation of interaction). These types of functions can be easily mapped onto Buhler’s symbol, symptom, and appeal functions, respectively. In addition, Scherer noted a syntactic function, related to the ordering of signs in a sequence as well as its hierarchical organization.