A classical type (5)

I believe the answer is:

alpha

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'a classical type' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

This is all the clue.

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(Other definitions for alpha that I've seen before include "European character" , "Foreign character" , "Burrowing American rodent" , "Leading Greek character" , "starter" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Globe and Mail.

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