The evolution of linguistic diversity
This thesis examines the causes and consequences of diversity in human language. It is divided into three sections, each of which addresses a different aspect of the topic. The first section uses computer simulations to examine various mechanisms which may produce diversity in language: imperfect learning, geographical isolation, selection on the basis of social affiliation, and functional selection amongst linguistic variants. It is concluded that social and functional selection by speakers provide the main motive forces for the divergence of languages. The second section examines the factors influencing the geographical distribution of languages in the world. By far the most important is the ecological regime in which people live. Seasonal climates produce large ethnolinguistic groups because people form large networks of exchange to mitigate the subsistence risk to which they are exposed. Non-seasonal, equatorial climates such as those of Papua New Guinea and Zaire produce numerous small ethnolinguistic groups, as reliable self- sufficiency is more easily achieved. The relationship between linguistic diversity and the modern economy is also investigated. Some support is found for the Fishman-Pool hypothesis
Nettle, Daniel
Zaire; Papaua New Guinea; Geographical isolation
The evolution of linguistic diversity. This thesis examines the causes and consequences of diversity in human language. It is divided into three sections, each of which addresses a different aspect of the topic. The first section uses computer simulations to examine various mechanisms which may produce diversity in language: imperfect learning, geographical isolation, selection on the basis of social affiliation, and functional selection amongst linguistic variants. It is concluded that social and functional selection by speakers provide the main motive forces for the divergence of languages. The second section examines the factors influencing the geographical distribution of languages in the world. By far the most important is the ecological regime in which people live. Seasonal climates produce large ethnolinguistic groups because people form large networks of exchange to mitigate the subsistence risk to which they are exposed. Non-seasonal, equatorial climates such as those of Papua New Guinea and Zaire produce numerous small ethnolinguistic groups, as reliable self- sufficiency is more easily achieved. The relationship between linguistic diversity and the modern economy is also investigated. Some support is found for the Fishman-Pool hypothesis
evolution linguistic_diversity examines cause consequence diversity human_language divide_three section address different_aspect topic first_section use_computer simulation examine_various mechanism may produce diversity language imperfect learning geographical isolation selection basis social affiliation functional selection amongst linguistic_variant conclude social functional selection speaker provide main motive force divergence language second_section examines factor_influence geographical_distribution languages world far important ecological regime people_live seasonal climate produce_large ethnolinguistic group_people form large network exchange mitigate subsistence risk expose non seasonal climate new produce numerous small ethnolinguistic group reliable self sufficiency easily achieve relationship linguistic_diversity modern economy also_investigate support find pool hypothesis