Processes of Elaboration: The Taxonomic Principle in Speech and Sign

It is argued that any language or sign system may be considered a technology of communication rather than the reflection of a specialized language faculty or cluster of language faculties. This technology of communication is elaborated over time, as are other technologies. One of the main forces in the elaboration is the taxonomic principle "similar meanings are expressed in similar forms." Some well-known aspects of language are examined in terms of the taxonomic principle analogy. 1 Table. Adapted from the source document