It has long been assumed that grammar is a system of abstract rules, that the world’s languages follow universal patterns, and that we are born with a ‘language instinct’. But an alternative paradigm that focuses on how we learn and use language is emerging, overturning these assumptions and many more.
Towards an integrated science of language
Morten H. Christiansen & Nick Chater
Nature Human Behaviour 1, Article number: 0163 (2017)DOIdoi:10.1038/s41562-017-0163
Source: www.nature.com
Complexity Digest 