What Makes a Good Language?

Explore the fundamental principles that define effective language systems in this 59-minute conference talk from the Simons Institute's "Decoding Communication in Nonhuman Species IV" series, co-hosted with Project CETI. Examine the essential characteristics and structural elements that contribute to successful communication systems, drawing insights from linguistic theory and comparative analysis across different forms of communication. Investigate how language design principles apply not only to human languages but also to communication systems found in nonhuman species, providing a broader perspective on what constitutes effective information transfer and meaning-making in various contexts.