Non-arbitrariness in novel sign systems
This thesis investigates non-arbitrariness in novel sets of signs (mappings between signals and meanings). Two common ways of characterizing signs â by the degree of motivatedness they exhibit and by the degree of systematic compositionality they exhibit â are not necessarily orthogonal. Thus, the emergence of arbitrariness and of systematic compositionality in language should be studied together. We focus on a particular interface of the two properties: the systematic re-use of arbitrary elements. Previous work that demonstrates how novel signs can emerge and then evolve to become arbitrary does not measure systematic compositionality. On the other hand, previous work on systematic compositionality proposes a mechanism for the evolution of systematic compositionality and a measure of the property, but does not address the evolution of arbitrariness. We propose a parallel theory of the emergence of the systematic re-use of arbitrary elements. Systematic compositionality emerges in novel, motivated signs and is maintained as the signs become arbitrary. We report a series of experiments that probe how the systematic re-use of arbitrary elements arises in novel communication systems. In Experiment 1, partners
Theisen, Carrie Ann
arbitrariness ; systematicity ; compositionality
Non-arbitrariness in novel sign systems. This thesis investigates non-arbitrariness in novel sets of signs (mappings between signals and meanings). Two common ways of characterizing signs â by the degree of motivatedness they exhibit and by the degree of systematic compositionality they exhibit â are not necessarily orthogonal. Thus, the emergence of arbitrariness and of systematic compositionality in language should be studied together. We focus on a particular interface of the two properties: the systematic re-use of arbitrary elements. Previous work that demonstrates how novel signs can emerge and then evolve to become arbitrary does not measure systematic compositionality. On the other hand, previous work on systematic compositionality proposes a mechanism for the evolution of systematic compositionality and a measure of the property, but does not address the evolution of arbitrariness. We propose a parallel theory of the emergence of the systematic re-use of arbitrary elements. Systematic compositionality emerges in novel, motivated signs and is maintained as the signs become arbitrary. We report a series of experiments that probe how the systematic re-use of arbitrary elements arises in novel communication systems. In Experiment 1, partners
non novel sign system investigates non novel set sign mapping signal meaning common way characterize sign degree exhibit degree systematic compositionality exhibit necessarily thus emergence systematic compositionality language study together focus_particular interface property systematic re_use arbitrary element previous_work demonstrate novel sign emerge evolve become arbitrary measure systematic compositionality hand previous_work systematic compositionality propose mechanism evolution systematic compositionality measure property address evolution propose parallel theory emergence systematic re_use arbitrary element systematic compositionality emerge novel motivate sign maintain sign become arbitrary report series probe systematic re_use arbitrary element arise novel communication_system partner