-

This paper presents a theoretical framework concerning com?munication via facial expressions. The article consists of three parts : In the first part «the semantics of facial communications is dis?cussed and it is suggested that the facial channel is particularly specialised in the transmission of those semantic features which are affective in nature. In the second part facial expression is ta?ken at two different levels ; the system level and the performance level; a notion parallel to the distinction made by linguists between the model of competence and the model of performance. Finally, the issue of static vs. dynamic faci-al expressions, i.e., posed vs. alive facial expressions are discussed and the idea of a modal facial struc?ture is proposed to account for the basic differences between the two types of research