Design features

discreteness

Complex messages are built out of smaller parts.

pragmatic function

the systems of communication serve some useful purpose.

arbitrariness

the signal is not logically related to its meaning.

displacement

you can communicate about things that are not present in space or time.

cultural transmission

some aspect(s) of the communication system must be learned from communicative interaction with other users of the system.

mode of communication

the means by which the messages are transmitted.

productivity

you can understand and produce messages that you have never heard before; these messages may express novel ideas.

interchangeability

individuals can both send and receive messages.

semanticity

the signals have meaning.