Ostensive

An ostensive is a sign issued where and only where its signified is present on the scene. Ostensives are the most fundamental form of language: they necessarily preceded the development of the imperative and the declarative.

Examples

• Yelling "Fire!" in response to seeing a burning building.
• Pointing at an object.
• A baby's first words: "Mommy!" or "Daddy!"

Development

The first ostensive was the originary sign. On the originary scene, members of the group collectively issued the originary sign (aborted gesture of appropriation), initially as an instinctual gesture inhibited by fear of the others in the group. The originary sign did not become an ostensive until, after observing the symmetry of the group, it was performed deliberately, as a voluntary gesture to other members of the group signaling they have nothing to fear or defend against, while designating the central object of desire as the cause of the gesture.

Intentional Structure and Characteristics

The intentional structure of the ostensive can be summed up in a few words: The speaker transmits to the hearer an immediately verifiable model of the universe as containing one significant present object.

The ostensive needs no tense because its referent is present to the speaker and verifiably present to the hearer. Similarly, it lacks person because the hearer/s is/are intended to stand in the same relation to the referent as the speaker.

An action is often warranted when an ostensive is issued (ex: when someone yells "Fire!" it is implied that you should quickly get to safety). However, unlike the imperative, the ostensive does not refer to or demand such action.

Uses

Today, ostensives are used most notably for teaching new words to children, and ostensives are the first words babies learn.

References

Gans, E. L., Katz, A. L. (2019). The Origin of Language: A New Edition