語言產生建模仿真：一個詞匯、語法和社會結構交互演化模型

Computational Modeling on Language Emergence: A Coevolution Model of Lexicon, Syntax and Social Structure

本文在簡略回顧了當前語言產生建模仿真的發展後，提出了一個多個體模型來模擬通過異質個體間的反覆交流，以詞匯為主的語言如何從原始不可分信號中產生。該模型模擬了詞匯和語法（簡單的詞序）的交互演化，並模擬了間接語意傳輸：聽者在交流中通過處理語言和非語言方面的信息來理解語意，所採用的反饋毋需直接核對語意。獲得語言規則的過程中不可避免的產生同音和同義詞。避免同音詞機制的採用使有效語言交流系統的產生成為可能。另外，個體間不同的自然屬性和語言行為並不會顯著影響語言的產生。最後，從複雜網絡理論出發，本文初步研究了社會結構對語言產生的影響，並模擬了語言與簡單社會結構的產生同交互發展。

In this paper, after a brief review of current computational models on language emergence, a multi-agent model is introduced to simulate the emergence of a compositional language from a holistic signaling system, through iterative interactions among heterogeneous agents. A coevolution of lexicon and syntax (in the form of simple word order) is tracked during communications with indirect meaning transference, in which the listener’s comprehension is based on interactions of linguistic and nonlinguistic information, and the feedback is not a direct meaning check. In this model, homonymous and synonymous rules emerge inevitably, and a sufficiently developed communication system is available only when a homonym-avoidance mechanism is adopted. In addition, certain degrees of heterogeneity regarding agent’s natural characteristics and linguistic behaviors do not significantly affect language emergence. Finally, based on theories of complex networks, a preliminary study of social structure’s influence on language emergence is given, and a coevolution of the emergence of language and that of simple social structure is implemented.