对语言作为复杂的自适应系统的阐释

语言的基本功能是社会的。人类的互动与一般认知过程共同促成了语言结构和知识。研究表明,语言的使用模式对语言习得、语言使用以及语言变化都产生重要的影响。这些过程虽然相互依赖,但都是同一个复杂的自适应系统的不同方面。语言作为复杂的自适应系统有如下主要特征:该系统包括多个语言使用者的互动;该系统是自适应系统;语言使用者的行为是包括从感性认识到社会动机等竞争因素的结果;语言结构源于经验、社会互动和认知机制相互联系的模式。语言的复杂自适应系统路径揭示了语言研究领域的共性。

An Interpretation of Language as a Complex Adaptive System

Language’s fundamental function is social.Processes of human interaction together with domain-general cognitive processes shape the structure and knowledge of language.It is demonstrated that patterns of use strongly affect how language is acquired,is used,and changes.These processes depend on each other but are facets of the same complex adaptive system(CAS).Language as a CAS involves some key features: the system consists of multiple agents interacting with each other;the system is adaptive;a speaker’s behavior is the consequence of competing factors ranging from perceptual mechanics to social motivation;the structures of language emerge from interrelated patterns of experience,social interaction and cognitive mechanisms.The CAS approach reveals commonalities in areas of language research)