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Updated: Jun 7, 2026
06:34
In Situ Monitoring of Diffusion of Guest Molecules in Porous Media Using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: September 2, 2016
Measuring the diffusion of linguistic change
1Alfa-informatica, University of Groningen, PO Box 716, 9700 AS Groningen, The Netherlands. j.nerbonne@rug.nl
Summary
This study models linguistic change diffusion through geographical distance, finding that variation grows sublinearly. Simulations explore how individual feature diffusion dynamics align with observed aggregate patterns.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Computational Linguistics
- Sociolinguistics
Background:
- Linguistic changes spread through contact, conquest, settlement, or migration.
- Previous studies show aggregate linguistic variation grows sublinearly with geographical distance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate linguistic change propagation via normal contact.
- To understand diffusion dynamics compatible with observed aggregate variation patterns.
Main Methods:
- Assumed linguistic variation arises from diffusion or innovation.
- Operationalized social contact as geographical distance.
- Used simulations to model feature diffusion dynamics.
Main Results:
- Aggregate linguistic variation exhibits sublinear growth with geographical distance.
- Simulations explored dynamics compatible with this observed pattern.
Conclusions:
- The study provides insights into the relationship between individual feature diffusion and aggregate linguistic variation.
- Understanding diffusion dynamics is crucial for historical linguistics and dialectology.
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