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Chunk-Based Memory Constraints on the Cultural Evolution of Language.
Erin S Isbilen1, Morten H Christiansen1
1Department of Psychology, Cornell University.
Topics in Cognitive Science
|September 7, 2018
Summary
The Now-or-Never bottleneck in language processing drives chunking mechanisms. These cognitive processes shape linguistic structure evolution, favoring easily learnable and processable language forms.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Cognitive Science
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Linguistic structure evolution is a key question in cognitive science.
- The Now-or-Never bottleneck highlights immediate processing constraints of auditory speech signals and limited memory.
- Cognitive systems use chunking to compress and recode linguistic input for memory retention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how the Now-or-Never bottleneck influences linguistic structure across evolutionary time.
- To propose that chunk-based memory processes shape language acquisition, processing, and cultural evolution.
- To explain how learnable structures proliferate due to cognitive constraints.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of cognitive processing constraints.
- Examination of chunking mechanisms in memory.
- Cross-timescale analysis of linguistic structure influenced by cognitive biases.
Main Results:
- Chunk-based memory processes are fundamental to overcoming the Now-or-Never bottleneck.
- Easily chunkable linguistic structures are favored and proliferate through usage.
- Language evolves culturally to align with learners' cognitive capabilities.
Conclusions:
- The Now-or-Never bottleneck is a critical factor in the evolution of linguistic structure.
- Language structure is an adaptive outcome shaped by cognitive constraints on memory and processing.
- Cultural evolution favors linguistic forms optimized for human cognitive architecture.
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