Exposure dependent creolization in language dynamics equation

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new formalism of language dynamics so that creole may emerge. Thus far, we modified the transition probability of the dynamics so as to change in accordance with the distribution of population of each language at each generation, and in addition, we introduced a new parameter called exposure rate with which infants were exposed to other languages than mother tongues. Thus, we could observe creolization under limited conditions. In this paper, we revise the learning algorithm in our model, considering the amount of language input during the language acquisition period. Thus, the transition probability depends not only on the exposure rate but also on the amount of language input. With this model, we show that creolization occurs only when the influence of mother tongues and the socially dominant languages balance. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.