"Signals" are a conceptual apparatus in many scientific disciplines. Biologists inquire about the evolution of signals, economists talk about the signaling function of purchases and prices, and philosophers discuss the conditions under which signals acquire meaning. However, less attention has been paid to what is a signal. Most existing accounts are teleological in some way. This paper provides a definition of signals that avoids reference to form or purpose. Along the way we introduce novel notions of "information revealing" and "information concealing" moves in games. In the end, our account offers an alternative to teleological accounts of communication.

“信号”是许多科学学科中的概念性工具。生物学家询问信号的演变，经济学家谈论购买和价格的信号传递功能，哲学家讨论信号获取意义的条件。但是，很少注意信号是什么。现有的大多数帐户在某种程度上都是目的论的。本文提供了避免参考形式或目的的信号定义。在此过程中，我们介绍了游戏中“信息显示”和“信息隐藏”动作的新颖概念。最后，我们的帐户为通信的目的论帐户提供了一种替代方法。