The Actuation Problem

IF 3 1区 文学 0 LANGUAGE & LINGUISTICS
A. Yu
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引用次数: 2

Abstract

The actuation problem asks why a linguistic change occurs in a particular language at a particular time and space. Responses to this problem are multifaceted. This review approaches the problem of actuation through the lens of sound change, examining it from both individual and population perspectives. Linguistic changes ultimately actuate in the form of idiolectal differences. An understanding of language change actuation at the idiolectal level requires an understanding of ( a) how individual speaker-listeners’ different past linguistic experiences and physical, perceptual, cognitive, and social makeups affect the way they process and analyze the primary learning data and ( b) how these factors lead to divergent representations and grammars across speakers-listeners. Population-level incrementation and propagation of linguistic innovation depend not only on the nature of contact between speakers with unique idiolects but also on individuals who have the wherewithal to take advantage of the linguistic innovations they encountered to achieve particular ideological projects at any given moment. Because of the vast number of contingencies that need to be aligned properly, the incrementation and propagation of linguistic innovation are predicted to be rare. Agent-based modeling promises to provide a controlled way to investigate the stochastic nature of language change propagation, but a comprehensive model of linguistic change actuation at the individual level remains elusive. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Linguistics, Volume 9 is January 2023. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
驱动问题
驱动问题问的是,为什么在特定的时间和空间,一种特定的语言会发生语言变化。对这一问题的反应是多方面的。这篇综述通过声音变化的镜头来探讨驱动的问题,从个体和群体的角度来审视它。语言的变化最终以个体差异的形式发生。在个体层面上理解语言变化驱动需要理解(a)说话者和听话者个体过去不同的语言经历以及身体、知觉、认知和社会构成如何影响他们处理和分析主要学习数据的方式,以及(b)这些因素如何导致说话者和听话者之间的不同表征和语法。语言创新在人口水平上的增长和传播不仅取决于使用独特方言的说话者之间接触的性质,还取决于在任何特定时刻有能力利用他们遇到的语言创新来实现特定意识形态项目的个人。由于大量的偶发事件需要适当地对齐,语言创新的增量和传播预计是罕见的。基于主体的建模有望提供一种可控的方法来研究语言变化传播的随机性,但在个体层面上的语言变化驱动的综合模型仍然难以捉摸。预计《语言学年度评论》第9卷的最终在线出版日期为2023年1月。修订后的估计数请参阅http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
7.20
自引率
6.20%
发文量
37
期刊介绍: The Annual Review of Linguistics, in publication since 2015, covers significant developments in the field of linguistics, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and their interfaces. Reviews synthesize advances in linguistic theory, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, language change, biology and evolution of language, typology, as well as applications of linguistics in many domains.
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