The Cognitive Link Between Child Language Development and Language Evolution

Researchers from the University of Toronto, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, and the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies have discovered a common cognitive foundation between child language development and the historical evolution of languages. They found that patterns of children's language innovation can predict patterns of language evolution, and vice versa. The study focused on word meaning extension, where known words are used to express something new. The researchers built a computational model that successfully predicted word meaning extension patterns across different languages and timescales. This research may help predict future changes in word meaning and aid in second language acquisition and machine learning systems.