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The Codes of Life pp 319–345Cite as

The Codes of Language: Turtles All the Way Up?

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Part of the book series: Biosemiotics ((BSEM,volume 1))

Linguistic signalling is compared with using artificial and organic codes. Based on Barbieri’s (2003) work, I begin by showing parallels between organic processes and how language prompts conscious attitudes and micro-semantics. Hypothetically, organic coding may shape the neural and interactional dynamics that subtend language. Turning to development, I then compare the organic process of DNA transcription with Trevarthen and Aitken’s (2001) intrinsic motive formation (IMF). This shows that the organic process model can throw light on the emergence of self. As in protein manufacture, embodied adaptors use the closure of a world to promote functional change. Rather as cells synthesise proteins, IMF prompts neural reorganization. By constraining how action and perception impact on neural activation, proto-artefacts (expressions, emotions, and attitudes) gradually insinuate themselves into how we act, feel, and speak. Human customs connect intrinsic motivation and displays of affect that, over time, prompt infants to believe in words. Parallels between organic coding and language dynamics are thus consistent with a distributed view of language. As artefacts and organic codes coevolved, our bodies became dependent on an ability to take the language stance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Hertfordshire, UK

    Stephen J. Cowley

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  1. Stephen J. Cowley
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  1. University of Ferrara, 44100, Ferrara, Italy

    Marcello Barbieri

  2. University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Jesper Hoffmeyer

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Cowley, S.J. (2008). The Codes of Language: Turtles All the Way Up?. In: Barbieri, M., Hoffmeyer, J. (eds) The Codes of Life. Biosemiotics, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6340-4_14

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