An introductory statement notes the increased interest in the fields of communication theory, linguistics, and psycholinguistics during the period 1953-57 and suggests reasons for this attention. The body of the article summarizes and comments upon some of the relevant literature published since 1953 in these three interrelated areas, limiting the discussion to those studies judged significant in terms of educational application. Among the researchers and theorists discussed are Chomsky, Harris, Cherry, Gleason, Fries, Kainz, Ruesch, Osgood, Mandelbrot, Sebeok, and Skinner. A bibliography of 59 items is included. (DS)