This guy has never met my friends

[pecunium]

Language, however, puts information first and manipulation second. Suppose I were to explain to you Einstein's theory of relativity, or Chomsky's theory of a biologically based language organ. My purposes in giving you the information might well be that of impressing you, or even ultimately mating with you (although anyone who could be induced to mate by such means would have to be pretty weird).

Adam's Tongue Derek Bickerton p. 48

Comments

[don-fitch.livejournal.com]

This quote doesn't indicate how close Bickerton considers first and second, or even whether he's considering frequency, or importance.

Yeah, most of my language use is for information exchange -- but also, the vastly major portion of the manipulation I've experienced has been done by means of language. Words can be Powerful, and have great manipulatory/emotional effect. In really skilled users, it may even be the effect intended.

It would seem, however, that Bickerton is not considering the speeches and public statements of Politicians -- many of whom are brilliant at avoiding factual communication in their use of language.