Here's why:
* Displacement refers to the ability of language to communicate about things that are not present in the immediate context. This includes discussing past events, future plans, imaginary concepts, or things that are physically far away.
* It's a key characteristic of human language that sets it apart from other forms of communication. Animals, for example, typically communicate about immediate needs and circumstances.
Other terms that might seem relevant but don't fully capture the concept include:
* Recursion: This refers to the ability to embed phrases within phrases, but doesn't specifically address the time and space element.
* Productivity: This refers to the ability to create new and unique expressions, but doesn't explain how we talk about things beyond the present.
* Arbitrariness: This refers to the fact that there is no inherent link between a word and its meaning, but it doesn't address the ability to discuss things that are not present.
Therefore, displacement is the most accurate term to describe the human ability to discuss topics removed from the immediate situation.