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Language evolution and information theory.

J B Plotkin·M A Nowak
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Abstract

This paper places models of language evolution within the framework of information theory. We study how signals become associated with meaning. If there is a probability of mistaking signals for each other, then evolution leads to an error limit: increasing the number of signals does not increase the fitness of a language beyond a certain limit. This error limit can be overcome by word formation: a linear increase of the word length leads to an exponential increase of the maximum fitness. We develop a general model of word formation and demonstrate the connection between the error limit and Shannon's noisy coding theorem.

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Biological EvolutionHumansInformation TheoryLinguisticsModels, BiologicalJournal Article

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J B Plotkin, M A Nowak. 2000-07-07. Language evolution and information theory.. https://doi.org/10.1006/jtbi.2000.2053

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