Masterclass Language Evolution: Computer models for empirical data

Sponsored as a NWO Cognition Advanced Studies Initiative

Thursday 21 June 2007

Hotel Mercure, Noordwijk, The Netherlands

Organisers: Bart de Boer and Paul Vogt

View the pictures taken during the event either online in low resolution or download them in high resolution

Scope

One of the major contemporary challenges for cognitive sciences is to understand the processes and conditions through which humans have evolved language. This has been studied in many different disciplines by an increasing number of researchers. Typical disciplines in which language evolution is studied include anthropology, archeology, evolutionary biology, computer science, ethology, linguistics, neuroscience, psychology and primatology. Many questions concern to what extent the capacity of language has evolved biologically, to what extent was this specific to language and how much can be explained in terms of cultural evolution.

In the past 15 years an increasing number of computational studies has been used to investigate the origins and evolution of language. Aim of such studies is to gain more insights into the mechanisms and pre-conditions under which animal communication and human language could have emerged in its present form. Much progress has been made in this field, but unfortunately many studies fail to be appreciated by researchers outside the computational disciplines (AI, Alife, ...), often because the models are too abstract and/or have no direct link to what is empirically known about human (or animal) communication.

Empirical (and theoretical) studies from other disciplines have been around for a much longer period of time. And although languages do not leave direct fossils and it is impossible to go back in time to observe the origins of language, much can be inferred from our current day empirical studies. For instance, we can observe non-human primate communication for comparison, observe the emergence of new languages such as Nicaraguan Sign Language, or investigate how children learn language and speculate whether their development is a blue-print for language evolution.

As organisers, we feel that both sides of this spectrum (i.e. computer modellers and empirical researchers) can benefit greatly from each other's research and that integrating them could help to further advance this exciting research field. To this aim we have invited 17 researchers (incl. ourselves) to come together in Noordwijk for one week to discuss how we can bridge the gap between computer models and empirical data on language evolution. About half of these researchers are experts on computational modelling and the other half are experts in empirical research. Near the end of this week, the masterclass will be given in which many of the results from these conditions will be integrated.

Format of the masterclass

During the whole day, approximately 8 presentations will be given by a (selection of) expert(s) on 8 different topics within the field of language evolution.Time will be reserved for discussion. The topics and experts will be as follows (note these topics may change slightly prior to the masterclass):

Time schedule

Prospective participants

The masterclass is primarily aimed at post-graduate students (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) and post-docs who research language evolution in any of its related disciplines. The masterclass is, however, open to all students who wish to learn how computational and empirical studies can be combined.

Registration and information

Prospective participants should register by sending an email to Ms. Lauraine Sinay (j.f.l.sinay'_at_'uvt.nl) with subject "registration MC Language Evolution". A small registration fee of 20 Euros is requested, which should be paid in cash at the registration desk prior to the masterclass.

The number of available places is limited to 35 students, so please register early. (First come, first serve.) The dealine for registration is 30 May 2007.

If you have questions regarding the contents of the masterclass, please contact Paul Vogt (p.a.vogt'_at_'uvt.nl). For all further enquiries, contact Ms. Lauraine Sinay (j.f.l.sinay'_at_'uvt.nl).

Venue

The masterclass will be held at Hotel Mercure in Noordwijk, a beach resort in the Netherlands. The address is:

Koningin Wilhelmina Boulevard 8
2202 GS NOORDWIJK

Directions

By Plain: Take a flight to Amsterdam-Schiphol or Rotterdam Airport. Proceed by train.

By Train / Public Transport Take a train to Leiden and from there take either a taxi (around 20 mins and 40 euros) or a bus. For the bus, take bus (line 40 or 240) that goes to Noordwijk and get off at the Parallel Boulevard (runs parallel to the Kon. Wilhemina Boulevard, which is at the seaside). This takes around 30 minutes and costs 5 'strippen' - buy a 'strippenkaart' at the station. For schedules consult Nederlandse Spoorwegen or 9292 OV (also contains bus schedule).

By Car: Consult the Hotel's website and follow their link to Location and Access for directions.