The Assertive/Interrogative Divide in METI

How does one respond to a statement? Past examples of METI, such as the Arecibo message, are communications that are often formed as statements (assertions). But are assertions the best way to get a response from potential ETIs? In this paper, I suggest that METI could focus more on an interrogative form of communication rather than an assertive form of communication. To do this, I begin with a brief examination of the status of METI from a linguistic perspective. Next, I explore the linguistic divide between these two forms of communication among humans, first linguistically and then sociolinguistically. I suggest that an informed strategy means determining the types of questions to ask, and those to avoid. Likewise, I include a thought experiment of how humanity’s reception of an intelligible communication from ETIs might differ depending upon whether the communication took the form of a statement (“We are here” or “3.141592653589793238”) or a question (“Is anyone out there?”). Then I consider the anthropological divide between humans (who can ask questions) and other mammals such as primates (who cannot ask questions), and what this divide could mean for METIs as well as first contact. In conclusion, I give thought to the ethical implications of how we communicate with potential ETIs along this assertive/interrogative divide.