Undergraduate Course: Simulating Language (LASC10018)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | In this course, we will build and run experiments with very simple models that nevertheless cast light on a wide range of puzzles - from how we learn word meanings, to how the language faculty evolves. 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 language development, and the origins and ongoing evolution of language. |
| Course description |
The study of the origins and evolution of language 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 is learned and evolves. 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 how we learn word meanings, to how the language faculty evolves. 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 work and lectures.
Experience of programming (using any language) would be an advantage, but is not a prerequisite. Students will be shown how to modify pre-existing simulation models (written using Python notebooks), and in the process learn the skills to eventually run their own simulation experiments.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have completed at least 3 Linguistics/Language Sciences courses at grade B or above. We will only consider University/College level courses. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 45 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
196 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assignment 1: 50%
Assignment 2: 50% |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Critically assess research papers that use modelling techniques
- Demonstrate an understanding of those aspects of evolutionary linguistics in which modelling has played a part
- Demonstrate an understanding of multi-agent simulation, and Bayesian models of learning
- Run and analyse computer simulation experiments in order to test hypotheses about language learning, and the cultural and biological evolution of linguistic behaviour
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
This course trains students to build and run computational models that test a range of linguistic theories including language learning, change, and evolution. This is done primarily through the use of already coded models. The course trains students to understand existing code and how it works. In some cases, the models need to be tweaked slightly which requires students to be brave enough to explore and change pre-existing code. Labs guide students through this exploratory approach. There is a lot of emphasis on learning by doing in the labs, and also in figuring out ways to visualise the results of running models in such a way as to support or disconfirm central theoretical ideas in linguistics and cognitive science more broadly. The lectures build on labs and vice versa, and students are expected to be able to express the relationship between theories on the one hand, and models on the other. Writing is expected to be both concise and precise, with the emphasis on using model results and visualisations to support arguments. The course builds a complete theoretical model for the evolution of language piece by piece over the semester, with every part of the course relying on understanding of the previous parts so students will learn to manage their time in order to develop their modelling skills in step with the lectures.
Core skills gained or developed on this course:
Adapting presentation or writing tone/style to audience; Being open to different perspectives; Challenging own perspectives and assumptions; Critical thinking; Critical analysis and evaluation; Data analysis and evaluation; Enhanced programming/coding skills; Preparation, planning and organisation; Problem solving; Academic reading skills; Research skills; Resilience; Statistical analysis; Time management; Workload management; Written communication; Writing clearly and concisely; Data visualisation; Model building |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Simon Kirby
Tel: (0131 6)50 3494
Email: s.kirby@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Susan Hermiston
Tel: (0131 6)50 3440
Email: Susan.Hermiston@ed.ac.uk |
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