Language is what distinguishes human beings from all other species. However, its evolutionary origins remain poorly understood. In addition, today's communicative environment is being reshaped by digitisation and artificial intelligence: the way we learn and use language has changed, raising the question of how language might develop in the future. In its first phase, the Evolving Language NCCR explored the three modes of evolution that characterise human language: the biological evolution, the cultural evolution of technology and social practices, and the linguistic evolution. In Phase 2, these modes continue to be examined in their own terms, but also in how they interact and shape each other. Phase 2 thus encompasses two projects that address foundational evolutionary processes in language (the Acquisition and Diversification projects) and three domain-specific projects constituting the core properties of language (the Syntax, Meaning and Interaction projects). These projects are complemented by Transversal Task Forces, which stimulate collaboration by sharing methods, technologies and by fostering discussions on conceptual and ethical issues.
Raphael Berthelé is actively involved in the Diversification project https://evolvinglanguage.ch/fr/diversification-project/, the Acquisition project: https://evolvinglanguage.ch/fr/acquisition-project/ and the Meaning project: https://evolvinglanguage.ch/fr/meaning-project/
For more information: https://evolvinglanguage.ch/research-2/