Alien Languages: Stranger Than We Imagine
Fictional alien languages, like the Heptapod language in Arrival, while bizarre, share surprisingly similar underlying structures to human languages. This prompts philosophical reflection on the "space of possible languages": true alien languages might be far stranger than we've imagined, constructed in ways radically different from human tongues. The article explores four levels of language: signs, structure, semantics, and pragmatics, analyzing how alien languages might differ in each. This includes using non-human sensory modalities (smells, electrical impulses), possessing unique grammatical structures, and even lacking the concept of 'meaning' as we understand it. Preparing for truly alien languages requires abandoning anthropocentrism and actively exploring the possibilities of language. This is not only crucial for potential extraterrestrial contact but also for a deeper understanding of our own language and cognitive abilities.