Yes, keep in mind there are many different types of communication, within our species and beyond. Consider non-verbal communication in our species, to start with. Mother-infant research demonstrates the many nuances of non-verbal communication before the infant develops the ability to speak to communicate (for example, facial expression, body orientation, eye contact). Be careful to not define linguistics as communication.
I recommend watching the film "Arrival", as it is a good reference of a species that communicates using non-linguistic signs. Furthermore, the difference between this language and human language is an absence of spoken word, or phonetics.
Nonlinguistic communication transmits/imparts information without using phonetic language, or speech.
Vicars (2001) continues to explain different forms of non-linguistic communication, that don't use phonetics, such as the symbols (like in the film), and even examples like the transmission of pheromones.
Menard-Warwick explains
Linguistics is the systematic study of the structure and evolution of human language, and it is applicable to every aspect of human endeavor.
Since linguistics is relating to science of human language, Shahhoseiny (2013) explains
the four branches of linguistics are phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. Phonology deals with the study of sounds. Morphology deals with the the morphemes and combinations of morphemes as words. Syntax deals with the combinations of words as phrases and phrases as sentences.
