Conversation, cognition and cultural evolution A model of the cultural evolution of word order through pressures imposed from turn taking in conversation
Authored by Sean G Roberts, Stephen C Levinson
Date Published: 2017
DOI: 10.1075/is.18.3.06rob
Sponsors:
European Research Council (ERC)
Platforms:
No platforms listed
Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
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Model Code URLs:
Model code not found
Abstract
This paper outlines a first attempt to model the special constraints
that arise in language processing in conversation, and to explore the
implications such functional considerations may have on language
typology and language change. In particular, we focus on processing
pressures imposed by conversational turn-taking and their consequences
for the cultural evolution of the structural properties of language. We
present an agent-based model of cultural evolution where agents take
turns at talk in conversation. When the start of planning for the next
turn is constrained by the position of the verb, the stable distribution
of dominant word orders across languages evolves to match the actual
distribution reasonably well. We suggest that the interface of cognition
and interaction should be a more central part of the story of language
evolution.
Tags
typology
cultural evolution
language
information
Organization
Turn taking
Pragmatics
Word order
Thematic role-assignment
Eye-movements
Efficient communication
Interactive alignment
Speakers
Japanese
Universals