Neutral evolution: A null model for language dynamics

TL;DR

This paper advocates for using neutral evolution as a null model to better understand language dynamics, emphasizing its importance in testing theories against empirical data.

Contribution

It introduces neutral evolution as a viable null model for language change and discusses its empirical support and implications for linguistic theory.

Findings

Neutral evolution can explain certain language change patterns.

Empirical evidence both supports and challenges neutral evolution as a mechanism.

Null models are crucial for meaningful testing of language dynamics theories.

Abstract

We review the task of aligning simple models for language dynamics with relevant empirical data, motivated by the fact that this is rarely attempted in practice despite an abundance of abstract models. We propose that one way to meet this challenge is through the careful construction of null models. We argue in particular that rejection of a null model must have important consequences for theories about language dynamics if modelling is truly to be worthwhile. Our main claim is that the stochastic process of neutral evolution (also known as genetic drift or random copying) is a viable null model for language dynamics. We survey empirical evidence in favour and against neutral evolution as a mechanism behind historical language changes, highlighting the theoretical implications in each case.