Language polygenesis: A probabilistic model

David A. Freedman; William Shi Yuan Wang

Language polygenesis: A probabilistic model

David A. Freedman, William Shi Yuan Wang

Research output: Journal article publication › Journal article › Academic research › peer-review

Abstract

Monogenesis of language is widely accepted, but the conventional argument seems to be mistaken; a simple probabilistic model shows that polygenesis is likely. Other prehistoric inventions are discussed, as are problems in tracing linguistic lineages.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	131-138
Number of pages	8
Journal	Anthropological Science
Volume	104
Issue number	2
Publication status	Published - 1 Apr 1996
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Historical linguistics
Language emergence
Monogenesis
Polygenesis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Anthropology

Cite this

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title = "Language polygenesis: A probabilistic model",

abstract = "Monogenesis of language is widely accepted, but the conventional argument seems to be mistaken; a simple probabilistic model shows that polygenesis is likely. Other prehistoric inventions are discussed, as are problems in tracing linguistic lineages.",

keywords = "Historical linguistics, Language emergence, Monogenesis, Polygenesis",

author = "Freedman, {David A.} and Wang, {William Shi Yuan}",

year = "1996",

month = apr,

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pages = "131--138",

journal = "Anthropological Science",

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AB - Monogenesis of language is widely accepted, but the conventional argument seems to be mistaken; a simple probabilistic model shows that polygenesis is likely. Other prehistoric inventions are discussed, as are problems in tracing linguistic lineages.

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KW - Language emergence

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KW - Polygenesis

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M3 - Journal article

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EP - 138

JO - Anthropological Science

JF - Anthropological Science

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ER -

Language polygenesis: A probabilistic model

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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