Animal utterances are metastudied based on a framework describing relations between aspects of utterance, genre, and lifeworld, form, content, act, time, and space. The study concerns a set of problems: How is context perceived theoretically and empirically? Where are time and space positioned? Is time and space studied separately or as chronotope, as spacetime, as a whole? What does embodied context mean? What are systemic studies? Of the studies two focus on systemic projects, two on complexity and contextual variations, two on time and space as separate phenomena, and three on spacetime. Since aspects such as signs, utterances, and genres evolved before language, they presumably constituted animals’ communicational system, working as a resource for communication even for all species, hominids and humans included. Studying such elements challenges how we conceive how they interrelate, especially in spacetime. The study revealed that spacetime was mostly positioned outside utterances and only occasionally as embodied. Integration of all key elements was not found in the excerpt.
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Title: The Challenge of Positioning Space and Time in Systemic Studies of Animal Utterances as Both Embodied and External Contexts
Author: Sigmund Ongstad
Publication: Linguistic Frontiers, 2023
Summary:
Abstract: This study explores the relationship between various aspects of animal utterances, specifically focusing on how time and space are perceived both theoretically and empirically. It investigates whether time and space are studied as separate entities or as a combined concept of spacetime, and how they interact with the concept of embodied context in systemic studies. The paper analyzes different studies that focus on systemic projects, complexity, contextual variations, and the integration of time and space. The research aims to understand the systemic nature of animal communication, considering signs, utterances, and genres that evolved before language.
Introduction and Methodological Framework: The paper begins with an epistemological and methodological framing, discussing the evolution from simple to complex views in animal communication. It highlights the importance of considering the utterer’s form, meaning, act, communication type, and context, emphasizing the interplay of these elements in dynamic contextual time and space. The study follows a qualitative approach, analyzing various empirical studies to understand the positioning of time, space, and context in animal communication research.
Main Concepts and Theoretical Framework: The paper outlines a theoretical framework, examining key elements such as form, content, act, time, and space in animal utterances. It discusses the interrelation of these elements and the systemic nature of communication. Genres are conceptualized as partly embodied contexts, challenging traditional perceptions of context. The study aims to understand how empirical research treats time and space as both internal and external aspects of communication.
Analysis of Empirical Studies: The paper analyzes a range of empirical studies grouped according to their approach to systemness, time, space, and spacetime in animal communication. The studies are critically examined to understand their handling of the complexities of contextual time and space in communication. The analysis aims to highlight the systemic nature of animal communication and the integration of time and space as crucial components.
Conclusion: The study concludes by emphasizing the systemic nature of animal communication, highlighting the importance of considering time and space as integral parts of communication. It challenges existing studies to consider the complexities of spacetime contexts and to integrate all key elements of communication in their research. The paper contributes to a deeper understanding of animal communication and its systemic characteristics.