Extract

Missing Information Tomasz Zygmunt (Siedlce) Numerous definitions of language, no matter how precise they are, often concen- trate on the commonly adopted concept of a system of communicating by means of sounds or conventional symbols. Adopting the image of language as a communica- tion construct composed of sounds and symbols, we blur the true nature of lan- guage. At the bottom of language lies information, so communication actually means the passing on of information which must be clear and free of doubt. Quite often it may become doubtful whether or not the passed on information is readable, since conventional symbols, although functioning in the system of the sender, may not function at all or in the same way in the system of the recipient. Hence, a de- gree of uncertainty arises with reference to the contents of the channel of informa- tion. Its careful analysis is supposed to show what the channel contains and what is missing, especially in the case when information is incomplete or lacking clarity and distinctness. So far, the channel of information has been perceived as an acous- tic transmitter, which seems to be too narrow and a one-sided form of presentation. There is much more in language then sound only, since communication is far more than speech. Anyway, sound or rather a sequence of sounds functions as a code which is used intentionally to convey information from the speaker to the listener. Thus, even if sound is accepted as a basic element of the human...