Final answer:
Charles Hockett's 16 design features of language are a set of characteristics present in all human languages that help distinguish them from other forms of animal communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
Charles Hockett's 16 design features of language are a set of characteristics that are present in all human languages. These features include the ability to produce an indefinite number of messages with a finite set of elements, the use of sounds or signs to represent meaning, the presence of grammar and syntax, and the ability to express new ideas and concepts. These design features help distinguish human language from other forms of animal communication.