Abstract
We combine information theory and cross-situational learning to develop a novel metric for quantifying the degree of regularity in the mappings between signals and meanings that can be inferred from exposure to language in context. We illustrate this metric using the results of two artificial language learning experiments, which show that learners are sensitive, with a high level of individual variation, to systematic regularities in the input. Analysing language using this measure of regularity allows us to explore in detail how language learning and language use can both generate linguistic variation, leading to language change, and potentially complexify language structure, leading to qualitative language evolution.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Evolution of Language: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on the Evolution of Language |
| Editors | Andrew D. M. Smith, Kenny Smith, Ramon Ferrer i Cancho |
| Publisher | World Scientific Publishing |
| Pages | 315-322 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-981-4472-49-4 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-981-277-611-2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2008 |
| Event | 7th International Conference on the Evolution of Language - Barcelona, Spain Duration: 11 Mar 2008 → 15 Mar 2008 |
Conference
| Conference | 7th International Conference on the Evolution of Language |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | EvoLang 7 |
| Country | Spain |
| City | Barcelona |
| Period | 11/03/08 → 15/03/08 |
Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'Regularity in Mappings Between Signals and Meanings'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Cite this
Tamariz, M., & Smith, A. D. M. (2008). Regularity in Mappings Between Signals and Meanings. In A. D. M. Smith, K. Smith, & R. Ferrer i Cancho (Eds.), The Evolution of Language: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on the Evolution of Language (pp. 315-322). World Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1142/9789812776129_0040