Corpus linguistics and the design of a response message

Most research related to SETI, the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, is focussed on techniques for detection of possible incoming signals from extraterrestrial intelligent sources, and algorithms for analysis of these signals to identify intelligent language-like characteristics. However, another issue for research and debate is the nature of our response, should a signal arrive and be detected. The design of potentially the most significant communicative act in history should not be decided solely by astrophysicists; the Corpus Linguistics.