How do aliens in the story language and communication style different from the human language (oral, pictographic, phonetic, etc.)?
The Heptapods communicate both through an oral language (Heptapod A), as well as a written language (Heptapod B). The story mainly focuses on the study of Heptapod B. Unlike human language, which is phonetic, the writing system of Heptapod B is semasiographic. The style of which, is also non-linear, and utilizes both positions and rotations of characters rather than sequence alone to communicate meaning.
How does the physical structure of our body inform the way we communicate? How about the aliens?
The physical structure of our body may influence our language in a top-bottom/left-right nature. Our eyes are oriented both linearly, as well as at the top of our body, which may influence why we read in a linear motion, from top to bottom. The Heptapods, conversely, seemingly have no single orientation and may be found standing on any number of the 7 limbs that stem from the torso. This could influence their language in the sense that Hepatpod B has no specific character orientation, and may show the same characters rotated or positioned in any nature to convey meaning.
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