Function, selection and innateness : the emergence of language universals
A central topic for linguistic theory is the degree to which the communicative function of language influences its form. In particular many so-called functional explanations argue that cross-linguistic constraints can be explained with reference to pressures imposed by processing. In apparent opposition to this is the innatist stance which claims that universals are properties imposed by an autonomous language module. This thesis approaches the issues raised by this conflict by examining the nature of the link between processing and universals. The starting point for the work, then, is not the discovery of new universals nor new explanations, but the question ~exactly how do processing theories that have been proposed give rise to the universals that they claim to explain?~ Careful investigation of this problem proves to be fruitful in highlighting the roles of innateness and function in explaining universals. The methodology chosen involves computational simulations of language as a complex adaptive system, in which language universals appear as emergent properties of the dynamics of the system and the influence of processing on use. This influence is characterised as a differential selection of competing
Kirby, Simon
Function, selection and innateness : the emergence of language universals. A central topic for linguistic theory is the degree to which the communicative function of language influences its form. In particular many so-called functional explanations argue that cross-linguistic constraints can be explained with reference to pressures imposed by processing. In apparent opposition to this is the innatist stance which claims that universals are properties imposed by an autonomous language module. This thesis approaches the issues raised by this conflict by examining the nature of the link between processing and universals. The starting point for the work, then, is not the discovery of new universals nor new explanations, but the question ~exactly how do processing theories that have been proposed give rise to the universals that they claim to explain?~ Careful investigation of this problem proves to be fruitful in highlighting the roles of innateness and function in explaining universals. The methodology chosen involves computational simulations of language as a complex adaptive system, in which language universals appear as emergent properties of the dynamics of the system and the influence of processing on use. This influence is characterised as a differential selection of competing
function selection emergence language_universal central_topic linguistic_theory degree communicative_function language influence form particular many so_called functional explanation_argue cross_linguistic constraint explain reference pressure impose processing apparent opposition stance claim universal property impose autonomous language module approach issue_raise conflict examine nature link processing universal start_point work discovery new universal new explanation question exactly process theory propose give_rise universal claim explain careful investigation problem prove fruitful highlight_role function explain universal choose involve computational simulation language complex adaptive system language_universal appear emergent property dynamic_system influence processing use influence characterise differential selection compete