Deriving the Wug-Shaped Curve: A Criterion for Assessing Formal Theories of Linguistic Variation

In this review, I assess a variety of constraint-based formal frameworks that can treat variable phenomena, such as well-formedness intuitions, outputs in free variation, and lexical frequency-matching. The idea behind this assessment is that data in gradient linguistics fall into natural mathematical patterns, which I call quantitative signatures. The key signatures treated here are the sigmoid curve, going from zero to one probability, and the wug-shaped curve, which combines two or more sigmoids. I argue that these signatures appear repeatedly in linguistics, and I adduce examples from phonology, syntax, semantics, sociolinguistics, phonetics, and language change. I suggest that the ability to generate these signatures is a trait that can help us choose between rival frameworks.

A Theory of Why Arts Entrepreneurship Matters

Although consensus on a definition of Arts Entrepreneurship (AE) is helpful, formal theories are needed to help AE researchers and educators explain what the general AE process is and why it matters. As discussed in this article, such theories can help us understand the relationship between art innovation, art market creation and art value exchange in Artworlds. Such theories can also help AE educators in particular clarify distinctions and similarities between the systematic practice of AE and business entrepreneurship, challenge past and present assumptions about AE and may encourage AE educators to pivot towards new pedagogical directions.

Avoidance of final monopositional vowels

A group of Arabic dialects in Yemen exhibit a velar k in the subject suffixes of the perfect paradigm. The 1sg subject suffix surfaces in the various dialects as -ku, -k or -kw. In addition, the vocalization of the base may or may not be colored with a round vocalic quality, depending on both the realization of the suffix and the verbal type faʿal or fiʿil. Based on inquiries among speakers from Lower Yemen, we propose a path of evolution that leads from -ku to the labialized -kw, to a “colored” stem, and finally to the grammaticalization of coloration and loss of labialization. Two pressures propel the passage between stages: a functional pressure to distinguish between 1sg and 2msg, and a phonological pressure to avoid monopositional final vowels. The phonological pressure is shown to also motivate palatalization in the 2fsg -ki ⇒ -ky (⇒ -š), as well as the effect of pre-pausal nasal insertion, viz. -ku ⇒ -kum# and -ki ⇒ -kiŋ#. We further show that final vowels resulting from the interaction of the subject suffixes with object clitics are phonologically long—even if phonetically neutralized—and hence they do not violate the phonological requirement. The formal theories of strict CV (Lowenstamm 1996, Scheer 2004) and Element Theory (Kaye et al. 1985) are used to explain the a-synchronized development in the different verbal patterns, as well as the extent of the phonological ban on monopositional vowels.

Dynamics in and dynamics of networks using DyNSimF

Advancements of formal theories, network science, and data collection technologies make network analysis and simulation an increasingly crucial tool in complexity science. We present DyNSimF; the first open-source package that allows for the modeling of com- plex interacting dynamics on a network a well as dynamics of (the structure of) a net- work. The package can deal with weighted as well as directional connections, is scalable and efficient, and includes a utility-based edge-altering framework. DyNSimF includes visualization methods and tools to help analyze models. It is designed to be easily ex- tendable and makes use of NetworkX graphs. It aims to be easy to learn and to work with, enabling non-experts to focus on the development of models, while at the same time being highly customizable and extensible to allow for complex custom models.

Interfaces and Domains of Contact-Driven Restructuring

The Afro-Hispanic Languages of the Americas (AHLAs) present a number of grammatical similarities that have traditionally been ascribed to a previous creole stage. Approaching creole studies from contrasting standpoints, this groundbreaking book provides a new account of these phenomena. How did these features come about? What linguistic mechanisms can account for their parallel existence in several contact varieties? How can we formalize such mechanisms within a comprehensive theoretical framework? How can these new datasets help us test and refine current formal theories, which have primarily been based on standardized language data? In addressing these important questions, this book not only casts new light on the nature of the AHLAs, it also provides new theoretical and methodological perspectives for a more integrated approach to the study of contact-driven restructuring across language interfaces and linguistic domains.

Ontological Pluralism and Multi-Quantificational Ontology

This paper explores some variants and aspects of multi-quantificational criteria of existence, examining these in the context of the debate between monism and pluralism in analytical philosophy. Assuming familiarity with the findings to date (summarized in broad terms at the outset), we seek to apply to these the newly introduced concepts of “substitution” and “substitutional model”. Possible applications of formal theories involving multiple types of existential quantifier are highlighted, together with their methods of construction. These considerations then lead to a thesis asserting the irrelevance of both multi-quantificational criteria and assumptions involving quantificational ontology to the debate between monism and pluralism in ontology. Many quantifiers cannot properly distinguish different modes of existence–as we aim to show by furnishing a general method for constructing counter-examples to any theory that assumes that different types of existential quantifier correspond to different modes of existence.

Invisible Hands and Fine Calipers: A Call to Use Formal Theory as a Toolkit for Theory Construction

In recent years, a growing chorus of researchers has argued that psychological theory is in a state of crisis: Theories are rarely developed in a way that indicates an accumulation of knowledge. Paul Meehl raised this very concern more than 40 years ago. Yet in the ensuing decades, little has improved. We aim to chart a better path forward for psychological theory by revisiting Meehl’s criticisms, his proposed solution, and the reasons his solution failed to meaningfully change the status of psychological theory. We argue that Meehl identified serious shortcomings in our evaluation of psychological theories and that his proposed solution would substantially strengthen theory testing. However, we also argue that Meehl failed to provide researchers with the tools necessary to construct the kinds of rigorous theories his approach required. To advance psychological theory, we must equip researchers with tools that allow them to better generate, evaluate, and develop their theories. We argue that formal theories provide this much-needed set of tools, equipping researchers with tools for thinking, evaluating explanation, enhancing measurement, informing theory development, and promoting the collaborative construction of psychological theories.

Inquiry Systems: How Do We Know What We Need to Know?

No less problematic than the various elements we’ve been discussing are the kinds of knowledge that are needed to navigate a complex world of Wicked Messes. As we shall see, it’s not just a matter of Epistemology, i.e., formal theories of knowledge, but how they are affected by and interact with different Psychological states of mind, especially the Parent, Adult, Child, and Secure versus Insecure Adults.

Word-Stress Systems

This chapter provides a typological and theoretical overview of word stress. Drawing on broad cross-linguistic data, it discusses phonological and phonetic characteristics of stress. It evaluates the typological distribution of stress systems along multiple dimensions, including notions such as obligatoriness and culminativity, the directionality of edge orientation, weight (in)sensitivity, rhythm, stress windows, non-finality, boundedness, primary versus secondary stress, and lexical versus predictable stress. Formal theories of stress and phonetic explanations for stress systems are examined. This chapter also considers some outstanding issues, such as the proper identification of stress diagnostics.