Year: 2000
Type: article
Abstract: We study a computational model of the evolution of language in groups of agents to evaluate under which circumstances syntax emerges. The fitness in the model depends on the composition of the population. We find that this fact significantly alters the evolutionary dynamics. If scores are attributed to both speaker and hearer, expressive syntax is hard to obtain. If scores are attributed only to the hearer, syntax develops, but agents loose the willingness to speak. Implications and a possible solution of this paradox are discussed.
Authors: William H. Zuidema, Paulien Hogeweg
Institution: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Language: English
Subfield: Cultural Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1530899369