I found this to be very interesting and related to things I have researched. My hypothesis is that there are only 2 signals at the base of all communication - "Come here" and "Go Away". Everything people, and pretty much anything that can communicate, ever do communicate is one of these 2 things, at the base of it, if you look deep enough.

When an alert bird deliberately gives a warning call to a stalking predator and the predator gives up the hunt, the sound is a signal. When a foraging bird inadvertently makes a rustling sound in the leaves that attracts predators and increases the risk of predation, the sound is a 'cue'.

The warning call is a form of "go away" and seems to work if the predator gives up the hunt. Making certain sounds in the very process of living is a form of "come here" to the predator.

Communication does not have to be done consciously or with a purpose. Nor does it have to necessarily be truthful. The honest and dishonest communication section talks about that.

Thanks for sharing this thought inducing article!