Model A.

Encoder		Decoder
Transmitter	Signal Message Channel Noise	Receiver

C. Shannon and W. Weaver proposed one of the first information theory models. Shannon was an engineer and he was concerned with the accurate transmission of message over the telephone. Weaver extended Shannon’s concepts to apply to all kinds of communication.

In terms of information theory language can be regarded as a code. [The word “code” may be defined as a prearranged set of signs used for making signals. Linguistically speaking, a code is a scale of signs, ranging from the smallest units (phonemes) and then progressively, to morphemes, words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs, texts]

A code must always have more than one sign and the encoder has to make a decision about which sign to use. The simplest kind of code is one that has only two signs – e.g. ringing or not ringing. In this case the choice is a binary one.

In very complicated codes, such as languages, the choice is much greater (than a simple binary one). Consequently, in language as a code there is always a potential, a stock of signs that can be used. This feature of the language code may be termed as “redundancy”. It is the redundancy of the language code that provides the opportunity of choice.

An outstanding American linguist M. Riffaterre applied the concepts and terms of Information theory to stylistics. The process of language communication can be illustrated by

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