1. Arbitrariness: The connection between a word and its meaning is arbitrary. There's no inherent reason why a "dog" should be called "dog" in English. It's a learned association. This contrasts with systems like onomatopoeia, where sounds mimic what they represent.
2. Productivity: Language is productive, meaning we can create new meanings and sentences using existing elements. We can combine words into new phrases, create metaphors, and express complex thoughts without needing a pre-existing word for everything.
3. Displacement: Language allows us to communicate about things that are not present in the here and now. We can talk about the past, the future, imaginary things, and abstract concepts. This contrasts with animal communication systems, which are typically limited to responding to immediate stimuli.
These three characteristics are crucial for understanding the power and flexibility of human language. They allow us to create and share complex thoughts, build relationships, and navigate the world around us.