universal constraint

is a mix of system constraints and social constraints which force themselves upon (and are met by) any and all human communications systems.

In his study of human communication, Goffman (1976) claimed that there is a set of universal constraints on all communication. Since the constraints are universal, they should appear in all types of communication and in all languages. Each language, of course, would differ in exactly how the constraints are met, and the ways in which the constraints are met should vary according to the communication channel. Goffman divided these communication constraints into two types: system constraints, the components required for all communication systems, and ritual constraints, the social constraints that smooth social interaction. Together they provide a systematic framework for our description of discourse, even the discourse of everyday, mundane communication.'(Discourse and Language Education By Evelyn Hatch)

universal constraint, n.Definitions

universal constraint