Postgraduate Course: Simulating Language (LASC11113)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Language Sciences |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The study of the origins and evolution of language and communication has seen a resurgence of interest in recent years. Part of the reason for this has been the application of new techniques from computer modelling to test out different hypotheses about how language evolved.
This allows researchers to run experiments on populations of simulated individuals, essentially rerunning competing proposed scenarios for the evolution of language.
In this course, we will build and run experiments with very simple models that nevertheless cast light on a wide range of puzzles - from the origins of animal communication all the way to the emergence of patterns of regularity and irregularity in language structure. Each of these models will build on the previous ones and at each step we will relate the practical work we are doing with the existing literature on simulating language, as well as broader issues in the scientific understanding of the origins and ongoing evolution of language.
This course will be suitable for anyone interested in the dynamic processes underpinning language, including individual learning, cultural transmission, and biological evolution. It will involve a mix of practical lab work, lectures and discussions.
Experience of programming (using any language) would be an advantage, but is not a prerequisite. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2011/12 Semester 2, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| Central | Lecture | Lecture Theatre C, David Hume Tower | 1-11 | 14:00 - 14:50 | | | | | | Central | Lecture | Lecture Theatre 3, 7 Bristo Square | 1-11 | | | | 14:00 - 14:50 | | | Central | Lecture | Lecture Theatre 3, 7 Bristo Square | 1-11 | | | | | 14:00 - 14:50 |
| First Class |
Week 1, Monday, 14:00 - 14:50, Zone: Central. Lecture Theatre C, David Hume Tower |
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
- An ability to critically assess research papers that use modelling techniques;
- an understanding of those aspects of evolutionary linguistics in which modelling has played a part;
- an understanding of multi-agent simulation, and basic evolutionary computation and machine learning techniques;
- an ability to run and analyse computer simulation experiments in order to test hypotheses about the cultural and biological evolution of linguistic behaviour;
- an ability to modify existing simulations and construct novel ones |
Assessment Information
| One 3000 word essay |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Simon Kirby
Tel: (0131 6)50 3494
Email: s.kirby@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Toni Noble
Tel: (0131 6)51 3188
Email: Toni.noble@ed.ac.uk |
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© Copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 16 January 2012 6:19 am
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