Objective
Human languages evolve by a process of cultural evolution in which linguistic varieties compete for our attention and adapt to the environment of our minds. This has produced a remarkable cultural replicator whose fidelity of transmission can rival that of some genes. Yet progress in understanding this defining human trait is impeded by an influential view that the processes of linguistic change are so rapid, idiosyncratic and many that general evolutionary rules and laws describing language evolution and language histories will not be found. That perspective can be contrasted with results emerging from recent empirical studies that point to simple and general rules of language evolution that have held throughout human history. This research programme is designed to bridge the gap in these perspectives. Our goal is to build and apply to real-world data, statistical models of linguistic evolution that will put the study of language change on a footing comparable to that of molecular evolution.
Micro-evolutionary studies will formulate and test population-linguistic models of cultural selection acting on words competing within populations of speakers. Macro-evolutionary or comparative studies will build a novel probabilistic model of sound changes and apply it to reconstructing ancestral lexical forms (the proto-language) and language histories. Shared-process studies link these two levels, investigating how common patterns of word-usage and sound changes mediate language evolution around the globe. Our studies are relevant to questions of language competition and extinction and we will investigate how words evolve, reconstruct proto-languages and infer deep linguistic histories -- such as the linguistic settlement of Eurasia, and search for evidence of a Mother Tongue.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- humanities languages and literature general language studies
- humanities history and archaeology history
- natural sciences mathematics applied mathematics statistics and probability
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology molecular evolution
- social sciences law
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2010-AdG_20100317
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
RG6 6AH Reading
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.