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Constructing a Consensus on Language Evolution? Convergences and Differences Between Biolinguistic and Usage-Based

Michael Pleyer1, Stefan Hartmann2

  • 1English Department, University of Koblenz-Landau, Koblenz, Germany.

Frontiers in Psychology
|December 6, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Biolinguistics and usage-based theories of language evolution are converging. Recent advancements show increasing common ground on nature vs. nurture, development, and cultural influences in language acquisition.

Keywords:
biolinguisticscognitive linguisticsconstruction grammarevolutionary linguisticsusage-based linguistics

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Area of Science:

  • Linguistics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Biolinguistics posits a genetic basis for language acquisition.
  • Usage-based approaches emphasize domain-general cognition and social interaction.
  • These two fields are often seen as opposing theoretical camps.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore convergence between biolinguistic and usage-based language evolution theories.
  • To examine common ground on key issues like modularity, innateness, and evolution.
  • To highlight how recent theoretical shifts are bridging these paradigms.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of current minimalist biolinguistic and usage-based approaches.
  • Examination of theoretical advancements like evo-devo and complex adaptive systems.
  • Focus on four contentious areas: modularity, innateness, evolution, and knowledge description.

Main Results:

  • Significant convergence is observed between biolinguistic and usage-based approaches.
  • Both paradigms increasingly adopt complex views on nature vs. nurture.
  • The intertwined nature of biological and cultural evolution is increasingly recognized.

Conclusions:

  • Minimalist biolinguistics and usage-based approaches share more common ground than previously assumed.
  • Modern theoretical frameworks facilitate a more integrated understanding of language evolution.
  • Future research can benefit from this synthesized perspective on language science.