Emergence of communication and language

Abstract

Old questions on the origins of language and communication are illuminated here in new, state-of-the-art research. This volume brings together studies from diverse disciplines, showing how they can inform and stimulate each other. It includes work in linguistics, psychology, neuroscience, anthropology and computer science. New empirical work is reported on both human and animal communication, using some novel techniques that have only recently become viable. A principal theme is the importance of studies involving artificial agents, their contribution to the body of knowledge on the emergence of communication and language, and the role of simulations in exploring some of the most significant issues. A number of different synthetic systems are described, demonstrating how communication can emerge in natural and artificial organisms. Theories on the origins of language are supported by computational and robotic experiments. Worldwide contributors to this volume include some of the most influential figures in the field, delivering essential reading for researchers and graduates in the area, as well as providing fascinating insights for a wider readership. Caroline Lyon is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire. Her research and publications include work on the evolution of language, speech recognition, applications of neural networks and textual analysis. Chrystopher L. Nehaniv is Research Professor of Mathematical and Evolutionary Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire and Director of the U.K. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Network on Evolvability in Biological and Software Systems. Angelo Cangelosi is Professor in Artificial Intelligence and Cognition at the University of Plymouth. He is the editor of Simulating the Evolution of Language (Springer, 2002). © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2007.