Systematicity and arbitrariness in novel communication systems
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Carrie Ann Theisen-White
Abstract
Arbitrariness and systematicity are two of language’s most fascinating properties. Although both are characterizations of the mappings between signals and meanings, their emergence and evolution in communication systems has generally been explored independently. We present an experiment in which both arbitrariness and systematicity are probed. Participants invent signs from scratch to refer to a set of items that share salient semantic features. Through interaction, the systematic re-use of arbitrary signal elements emerges.
Abstract
Arbitrariness and systematicity are two of language’s most fascinating properties. Although both are characterizations of the mappings between signals and meanings, their emergence and evolution in communication systems has generally been explored independently. We present an experiment in which both arbitrariness and systematicity are probed. Participants invent signs from scratch to refer to a set of items that share salient semantic features. Through interaction, the systematic re-use of arbitrary signal elements emerges.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Experimental semiotics 1
- Systematicity and arbitrariness in novel communication systems 15
- Can iterated learning explain the emergence of graphical symbols? 33
- Exploring the cognitive infrastructure of communication 51
- The evolution of communication 79
- The effects of rapidity of fading on communication systems 101
- Investigating how cultural transmission leads to the appearance of design without a designer in human communication systems 113
- An experimental study of social selection and frequency of interaction in linguistic diversity 139
- Index 161
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Experimental semiotics 1
- Systematicity and arbitrariness in novel communication systems 15
- Can iterated learning explain the emergence of graphical symbols? 33
- Exploring the cognitive infrastructure of communication 51
- The evolution of communication 79
- The effects of rapidity of fading on communication systems 101
- Investigating how cultural transmission leads to the appearance of design without a designer in human communication systems 113
- An experimental study of social selection and frequency of interaction in linguistic diversity 139
- Index 161
