Can Darwin's theory of evolution be applied to languages? If so what are the analogues for natural selection and species diversification? What truths does this approach reveal and what problems does it throw up? In this album Professor Mark Pagel of Reading University and Quentin Atkinson, an evolut…
Transcript -- A short introduction to this album.
What happens when you apply Darwin to the development of language? Mark Pagel and Quentin Atkinson explore the parallels.
Transcript -- What happens when you apply Darwin to the development of language? Mark Pagel and Quentin Atkinson explore the parallels.
In the tree of Indo-European languages, some words are remarkably similar across several languages, whilst many other words are remarkably different.
Transcript -- In the tree of Indo-European languages, some words are remarkably similar across several languages, whilst many other words are remarkably different.
Why, when languages change, do they often do so in rapid bursts.
Transcript -- Why, when languages change, do they often do so in rapid bursts.
There are two theories about the way that Indo-European languages spread - which one is correct?
Transcript -- There are two theories about the way that Indo-European languages spread - which one is correct?
Can Darwin's theories predict the future of language? Why are languages so resilient in the face of globalisation?
Transcript -- Can Darwin's theories predict the future of language? Why are languages so resilient in the face of globalisation?