6 June 2002

Language: Scientifically speaking

In a brief review Nowak et al. take on the task of covering 40 years of computational linguistics — the science combining the methods of linguistics and computer science to study language, particularly its evolution. Their main conclusion is that there is a logical necessity of genetically determined components of human language. The field is notably contentious, and any new synthesis is likely to stimulate heated debate.

Computational and evolutionary aspects of language
MARTIN A. NOWAK, NATALIA L. KOMAROVA & PARTHA NIYOGI
Nature 417, 611–617 (6 June 2002)
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