Simpler grammar, larger vocabulary: a linguistic paradox explained
1/27/2018 06:00:00 PM
Languages have an intriguing paradox. Languages with lots of speakers, such as English and Mandarin, have large vocabularies with relatively simple grammar. Yet the opposite is also true: Languages with fewer speakers have fewer words but complex grammars. Why does the size of a population of speakers have opposite effects on vocabulary and grammar?
Through computer simulations, a Cornell University cognitive scientist and his colleagues have shown that ease of learning may explain the paradox. Their work suggests that language, and other aspects of culture, may become simpler as our world becomes more interconnected.
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https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2018/01/simpler-grammar-larger-vocabulary.html#2gKCu3FdCPROibWm.99
