Q1.How do the aliens’ language and communication styles in the story differ from human language (oral, pictographic, phonetic, etc.)?
- Nonlinear Temporal Perception: The Heptapods perceive time non-linearly, experiencing it as a whole rather than in a sequential manner like humans. Their language reflects this perspective by encompassing a structure that allows them to express complex thoughts and ideas that incorporate past, present, and future simultaneously.
- Logograms: The Heptapod language is primarily composed of logograms, which are symbols that represent entire concepts or ideas rather than individual words. Each logogram contains inherent meaning and is not tied to specific sounds or phonetics.
- Synchrony of Expression: Heptapod sentences are formed by combining logograms in a simultaneous, holistic fashion. The entire sentence is presented at once, and its meaning unfolds entirely in the reader’s mind, rather than through a linear progression of words
Q2.How does the physical structure of our body inform the way we communicate? How about the aliens?
Our ability to produce a wide range of sounds through our vocal apparatus, including the larynx, vocal cords, and various articulators like the tongue and lips, allows us to generate spoken language. The physical structure of our vocal organs determines the phonetic inventory and articulatory possibilities of the sounds we can produce. Also, the mobility and expressiveness of our facial muscles, as well as our body movements and gestures, contribute to non-verbal communication. We rely on these physical cues to convey emotions, intentions, and additional layers of meaning beyond the words we speak. About the auditory perception: Our ears and auditory system enable us to perceive and interpret the sounds and nuances of spoken language. We rely on our ability to detect variations in pitch, tone, rhythm, and other auditory features to understand and interpret speech.
As for the aliens in the story, the specific details of their physical structure are not extensively described, but it is implied that their mode of communication is different from humans. The Heptapods communicate primarily through their logographic written language, which transcends the limitations of vocalization and relies on a visual form of communication. The physical structure of the Heptapods and its influence on their method of communication is not explicitly explored in the story, leaving room for interpretation and speculation.
(photos from movie Arrival)
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