Journal :: Linguistic Inquiry
2011
Grounding systematic syncretism in learning
Linguistic inquiry 42(2):225--266, 2011
It is commonly assumed that patterns of syncretism in inflectional paradigms are restricted in some way. In this article, I show how such restrictions can reflect cognitive constraints on language learning. Namely, I construct a learning algorithm that is biased toward certain ...MORE ⇓
It is commonly assumed that patterns of syncretism in inflectional paradigms are restricted in some way. In this article, I show how such restrictions can reflect cognitive constraints on language learning. Namely, I construct a learning algorithm that is biased toward certain ...
1993
A Computational Model of Language Learnability and Language Change
Linguistic Inquiry 24:299-345, 1993
Darwin's (1859) theory of natural selection had an important influence on the Neogrammarians. Like Darwin, they believed that diachronic change was the result of selective pressures on organisms from the environment operating on random variation ...
1971
On the speech of Neanderthal man
Linguistic Inquiry 2:203-222, 1971
* We thank Professors W. Henke and DH Klatt for providing the computer program and suggesting some of the supralaryngeal area functions in the speech synthesis procedure. We also would like to thank Professors HV Vallois, JE Pfeiffer, D. Pilbeam, WS Laughlin, ...