Complexity theory is a major interdisciplinary paradigm that unifies natural and social sciences through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. The study of language dynamics represents a relevant branch of complexity theory and is one of the most interdisciplinary research fields, which has extended in various directions. Within the framework of complex systems theory different types of models have been developed, from microscopic individual-based models of language evolution and game-theoretical models of language use to macroscopic reaction-diffusion models of language competition and spreading. These models address several factors influencing language dynamics, from geographical features and population dynamics to social and economic factors. Furthermore, big data analysis is used to study linguistic datasets from social networks and digitized literature, allowing to investigate language variation phenomena along with lexical innovations and diffusion in an automated way.
The interdisciplinary studies of languages require a combination of tools and knowledge from various fields such as linguistics, mathematics, statistical physics, cognitive science, sociology, history, archeology, geography, genomics, big data, etc. However, the interaction and collaboration between the researchers from the different disciplines should be much more lively and stronger. The goal of this Research Topic is to present the recent developments in the field of complex systems and language variation and change targeted to an audience interested in linguistics beyond traditional methods.
Language dynamics studies have become one of the key research topics in the field of complex systems. For instance, in the Conference of Complex Systems 2022 held in Palma de Mallorca on 17-22 October, both a parallel session on Language and Complexity and a satellite meeting Complexity in Language Variation and Change were organized. The scope of the present Research Topic is, on one hand, to collect some contributions presented in this conference and provide with it a small cross section of the research addressing languages through the prism of complex systems, and, on other hand, to promote the interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge transmission among researchers belonging to different communities. The authors are invited to present research articles containing original quantitative research on languages, either theoretical, experimental, mathematical, computational or data description, or short review papers, summarizing the research done as well as pointing out possible future directions and challenges to be tackled.
Complexity theory is a major interdisciplinary paradigm that unifies natural and social sciences through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. The study of language dynamics represents a relevant branch of complexity theory and is one of the most interdisciplinary research fields, which has extended in various directions. Within the framework of complex systems theory different types of models have been developed, from microscopic individual-based models of language evolution and game-theoretical models of language use to macroscopic reaction-diffusion models of language competition and spreading. These models address several factors influencing language dynamics, from geographical features and population dynamics to social and economic factors. Furthermore, big data analysis is used to study linguistic datasets from social networks and digitized literature, allowing to investigate language variation phenomena along with lexical innovations and diffusion in an automated way.
The interdisciplinary studies of languages require a combination of tools and knowledge from various fields such as linguistics, mathematics, statistical physics, cognitive science, sociology, history, archeology, geography, genomics, big data, etc. However, the interaction and collaboration between the researchers from the different disciplines should be much more lively and stronger. The goal of this Research Topic is to present the recent developments in the field of complex systems and language variation and change targeted to an audience interested in linguistics beyond traditional methods.
Language dynamics studies have become one of the key research topics in the field of complex systems. For instance, in the Conference of Complex Systems 2022 held in Palma de Mallorca on 17-22 October, both a parallel session on Language and Complexity and a satellite meeting Complexity in Language Variation and Change were organized. The scope of the present Research Topic is, on one hand, to collect some contributions presented in this conference and provide with it a small cross section of the research addressing languages through the prism of complex systems, and, on other hand, to promote the interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge transmission among researchers belonging to different communities. The authors are invited to present research articles containing original quantitative research on languages, either theoretical, experimental, mathematical, computational or data description, or short review papers, summarizing the research done as well as pointing out possible future directions and challenges to be tackled.
