scholarly journals With diversity in mind: Freeing the language sciences from Universal Grammar

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 472-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Evans ◽  
Stephen C. Levinson
Keyword(s):  
Human Genetics ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Language Evolution ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Stochastic Simulations ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Language Diversity ◽  
Original Proposal ◽  
Historical Accounts

AbstractOur response takes advantage of the wide-ranging commentary to clarify some aspects of our original proposal and augment others. We argue against the generative critics of our coevolutionary program for the language sciences, defend the use of close-to-surface models as minimizing cross-linguistic data distortion, and stress the growing role of stochastic simulations in making generalized historical accounts testable. These methods lead the search for general principles away from idealized representations and towards selective processes. Putting cultural evolution central in understanding language diversity makes learning fundamental in the cognition of language: increasingly powerful models of general learning, paired with channelled caregiver input, seem set to manage language acquisition without recourse to any innate “universal grammar.” Understanding why human language has no clear parallels in the animal world requires a cross-species perspective: crucial ingredients are vocal learning (for which there are clear non-primate parallels) and an intention-attributing cognitive infrastructure that provides a universal base for language evolution. We conclude by situating linguistic diversity within a broader trend towards understanding human cognition through the study of variation in, for example, human genetics, neurocognition, and psycholinguistic processing.

scholarly journals Larger communities create more systematic languages

2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1907) ◽  
pp. 20191262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Limor Raviv ◽  
Antje Meyer ◽  
Shiri Lev-Ari
Keyword(s):  
Small Groups ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Language Evolution ◽  
Language Diversity ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Community Size ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
Second Languages ◽  
The Social ◽  
Grammatical Structures

Understanding worldwide patterns of language diversity has long been a goal for evolutionary scientists, linguists and philosophers. Research over the past decade has suggested that linguistic diversity may result from differences in the social environments in which languages evolve. Specifically, recent work found that languages spoken in larger communities typically have more systematic grammatical structures. However, in the real world, community size is confounded with other social factors such as network structure and the number of second languages learners in the community, and it is often assumed that linguistic simplification is driven by these factors instead. Here, we show that in contrast to previous assumptions, community size has a unique and important influence on linguistic structure. We experimentally examine the live formation of new languages created in the laboratory by small and larger groups, and find that larger groups of interacting participants develop more systematic languages over time, and do so faster and more consistently than small groups. Small groups also vary more in their linguistic behaviours, suggesting that small communities are more vulnerable to drift. These results show that community size predicts patterns of language diversity, and suggest that an increase in community size might have contributed to language evolution.

scholarly journals The myth of language universals: Language diversity and its importance for cognitive science

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 429-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Evans ◽  
Stephen C. Levinson
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Science ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Language Diversity ◽  
Natural Experiments ◽  
Historical Factors ◽  
Human Skills ◽  
New Research ◽  
Recurrent Patterns

AbstractTalk of linguistic universals has given cognitive scientists the impression that languages are all built to a common pattern. In fact, there are vanishingly few universals of language in the direct sense that all languages exhibit them. Instead, diversity can be found at almost every level of linguistic organization. This fundamentally changes the object of enquiry from a cognitive science perspective. This target article summarizes decades of cross-linguistic work by typologists and descriptive linguists, showing just how few and unprofound the universal characteristics of language are, once we honestly confront the diversity offered to us by the world's 6,000 to 8,000 languages. After surveying the various uses of “universal,” we illustrate the ways languages vary radically in sound, meaning, and syntactic organization, and then we examine in more detail the core grammatical machinery of recursion, constituency, and grammatical relations. Although there are significant recurrent patterns in organization, these are better explained as stable engineering solutions satisfying multiple design constraints, reflecting both cultural-historical factors and the constraints of human cognition.Linguistic diversity then becomes the crucial datum for cognitive science: we are the only species with a communication system that is fundamentally variable at all levels. Recognizing the true extent of structural diversity in human language opens up exciting new research directions for cognitive scientists, offering thousands of different natural experiments given by different languages, with new opportunities for dialogue with biological paradigms concerned with change and diversity, and confronting us with the extraordinary plasticity of the highest human skills.

scholarly journals Genetic and linguistic histories in Central Asia inferred using approximate Bayesian computations

2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1861) ◽  
pp. 20170706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentin Thouzeau ◽  
Philippe Mennecier ◽  
Paul Verdu ◽  
Frédéric Austerlitz
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Past History ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Language Diversity ◽  
Methodological Framework ◽  
The Past ◽  
Approximate Bayesian ◽  
Future Work

Linguistic and genetic data have been widely compared, but the histories underlying these descriptions are rarely jointly inferred. We developed a unique methodological framework for analysing jointly language diversity and genetic polymorphism data, to infer the past history of separation, exchange and admixture events among human populations. This method relies on approximate Bayesian computations that enable the identification of the most probable historical scenario underlying each type of data, and to infer the parameters of these scenarios. For this purpose, we developed a new computer program PopLingSim that simulates the evolution of linguistic diversity, which we coupled with an existing coalescent-based genetic simulation program, to simulate both linguistic and genetic data within a set of populations. Applying this new program to a wide linguistic and genetic dataset of Central Asia, we found several differences between linguistic and genetic histories. In particular, we showed how genetic and linguistic exchanges differed in the past in this area: some cultural exchanges were maintained without genetic exchanges. The methodological framework and the linguistic simulation tool developed here can be used in future work for disentangling complex linguistic and genetic evolutions underlying human biological and cultural histories.

scholarly journals INTERCOMPREHENSION AND CATALAN: THE EUROCOM PROJECT

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-173
Author(s):  
Esteve Clua
Keyword(s):  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Language Diversity ◽  
Communication Problems ◽  
Linguistic Family

This paper presents a method to teach intercomprehension (a strategy for simultaneous learning of receptive capacities in languages that belong to the same linguistic family) as a means for strengthening multilingualism in order to overcome communication problems generated by the growing need for interrelationships, without having to forsake language diversity. The paper introduces EuroCom, an intercomprehension project involving three large European linguistic families (Slavonic, Germanic, and Romance), and describes its methodology and strategies for learning. The article stresses the importance of intercomprehension for languages like Catalan as a strategy to truly promote the respect for linguistic diversity at the European and Spanish levels.

Special Language Domain in Which Grammatical Rules May Be Violated Legitimately in Chinese

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Xu ◽  
Yewei Qin
Keyword(s):  
Language Contact ◽  
Language Change ◽  
Language Evolution ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
Historical Change ◽  
Core System ◽  
Linguistic Rules ◽  
Future Direction ◽  
Economic Zones ◽  
Special Language

“Special language domain” (SLD) refers to domains or areas of language use in which linguistic rules may be violated legitimately. The SLD is similar to “free trade zones,” “special administrative regions,” and “special economic zones” in which tariff, executive, and economic regulations may be legitimately violated to an extent. Innovative use in SLD is another major resource for language evolution and language change as well as language contact and language acquisition, since some temporary and innovative forms of usage in SLD may develop beyond the SLD at a later stage to become part of the core system of linguistic rules. Focusing on relevant grammatical phenomena observed in the Chinese language, poetry in various forms, titles and slogans, and Internet language are the three major types of SLD, and their violation of linguistic rules is motivated differently. Furthermore, although core linguistic rules may be violated in SLD, the violations are still subject to certain limits and restrictions. Only some language-particular rules can be violated legitimately in SLD; the principles of Universal Grammar, applicable generally for all human languages, have to be observed even in the SLD. The study of a special language domain provides an ideal and fascinating window for linguists to understand language mechanisms, explain historical change in language, and plausibly predict the future direction of language evolution.

Languages as evolving organisms – The solution to the logical problem of language evolution?

2008 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 512-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Behme
Keyword(s):  
Animal Communication ◽  
Language Evolution ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
Communication Research ◽  
Evolutionary Processes ◽  
Logical Problem

AbstractChristiansen & Chater (C&C) argue persuasively that Universal Grammar (UG) could not have arisen through evolutionary processes. I provide additional suggestions to strengthen the argument against UG evolution. Further, I suggest that C&C's solution to the logical problem of language evolution faces several problems. Widening the focus to mechanisms of general cognition and inclusion of animal communication research might overcome these problems.

scholarly journals Language Prognosis and Language Diversity in the Russian Federation: Sociolinguistic Aspect

2019 ◽  
pp. 6-23
Author(s):  
Aysa Bitkeeva ◽  
Monika Wingender ◽  
Vida Mikhalchenko
Keyword(s):  
Russian Federation ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Research Topic ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Language Diversity ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Relevant Research ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
Combination Of Methods ◽  
New Research

The article considers the methodological basis of sociolinguistic research into language perspectives with a focus on linguistic diversity in the Russian Federation, the study of which is closely connected with such sociolinguistic concepts as language situation, language policy and language planning. Оver the recent decades, sociolinguistics has witnessed a real boom in new research showing a growing variety of methods for studying linguistic diversity. Closer consideration of these papers shows that the authors focus on the search for tools to analyze the prerequisites, history and current situation of linguistic diversity. However, research methods for the future development of linguistic diversity – linguistic forecasting, lack for scientific representation. Analysis of the prospects for the development of languages in present-day conditions is no less relevant research topic. The identification of the laws of language development requires a comprehensive approach from the position of sociolinguistics, which leads to the multifaceted nature of scientific research, the consideration of the object not only from the linguistic point of view, but also from sociolinguistic, psycholinguistic, ethnolinguistic etc. factors. The authors present an overview of sociolinguistic methods. As part of a combination of methods, which is justified by the variety of goals and subjects of linguistic forecasting, the authors analyze some possible methods of sociolinguistic forecasting (parametric, statistical, discursive) and their practical application in the study of linguistic diversity. The article concludes with forecasts for linguistic diversity in the Russian Federation.

scholarly journals L2 Writing and L1 Composition in English: Towards an alignment of effort

2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-155
Author(s):  
Beverly Anne Baker
Keyword(s):  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
L2 Writing ◽  
Language Diversity ◽  
American University ◽  
Mainstream Composition ◽  
L1 And L2 Writing ◽  
L1 And L2 ◽  
Diverse Groups

Abstract In North American university contexts, the language diversity found in English mainstream composition (“L1”) classrooms resembles more and more that found in ESL (“L2”) writing classrooms. As these two groups become less differentiated, those specifically trained in L2 writing might well wonder whether the needs of the non-native speakers of English are acknowledged and addressed in the mainstream classrooms. The author examines several different theoretical constructs that have informed and continue to inform the literature on L1 composition pedagogy, demonstrating that some of these allow for the inclusion of linguistically diverse groups better than others. Fortunately, the recent turn to social and critical approaches to teaching composition reflect well the preoccupations of both L1 and L2 writing teachers. More and more attention is being paid to discussions of “linguistic diversity,” a term which now includes non-native speakers. This suggests a future convergence in the activities of instructors of L1 and L2 writing, leading to benefits for linguistically diverse groups.

EDUCATION STUDENTSʼ ATTITUDES TOWARDS LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY FROM A COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mojca Žefran ◽  
◽  
Anja Pirih ◽  
Silva Bratož Bratož
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Language Attitudes ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Comparative Perspective ◽  
Language Diversity ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Motivation For Learning

In developing the language education policy, the Council of Europe recognised the promotion of language diversity as one of Europe's key goals and e thus emphasised the teaching and dissemination of the languages of EU Member States. The development of plurilingual and multilingual competences involves, among other things, the forming of positive attitudes towards foreign/second/additional languages. It is assumed that teachers play an important role in developing learnersʼ language attitudes and can have a considerable influence on their beliefs. Therefore, the main aim of the present study is to identify and explore future teachers‟ attitudes towards linguistic diversity from a comparative perspective. A survey conducted among Slovene and German students who are studying to be primary school teachers looks atthe respondents‟general attitudes and beliefs related to language learning and linguistic diversity, their motivation for learning additional languages and their attitudes towards connecting language and culture. Finally, since the two institutions surveyed are both located in bilingual environments, the study investigates the different ways in which environmental factors shape education students‟ views and attitudes towards multilingualism. The results suggest a rather complex picture of attitudes and beliefs as expressed by the population surveyed.

800 Languages and Counting

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Logan
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Preliminary Analysis ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Political Attitudes ◽  
Language Evolution ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Diverse Communities ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Individual

Using data on more than 800 home languages identified during Afrobarometer Round 5 surveys in 35 countries, as well as information on multilingualism gathered in 20 countries in Round 4, this chapter explores linguistic diversity and multilingualism at the individual level, within communities, and across countries. Afrobarometer data offer a unique perspective on the distribution of languages and language capabilities from the viewpoint of the users of language rather than those who study it. The chapter also identifies some of the challenges encountered in collecting public opinion data in linguistically diverse environments. The findings reveal that even in many rural zones many Africans are living within ethnically and linguistically diverse communities, and preliminary analysis suggests this may have important implications for social and political attitudes. The data have untapped potential for understanding language evolution and for studying language both as a product and as a variable driving attitudes and outcomes.

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