[alife] CFP: EvolangIX Workshop -Constructive Approaches to Language Evolution-

[Reiji SUZUKI]

(apologies for cross-postings)
--- Call for Papers ---

EvolangIX Workshop -Constructive Approaches to Language Evolution-
March 13th 2012, Kyoto, Japan

** Submission deadline December 30th 2011 **
Workshop website
http://www.alife.cs.is.nagoya-u.ac.jp/evolangixws/
EvolangIX website
http://kyoto.evolang.org/


* Aim of the workshop
 Constructive approaches, that are modeling, simulation and analysis of
emergent phenomena by synthesizing life-like behaviors using artificial
media such as computers, robots, etc., have played a substantial role in
the understanding of the origin and evolution of language for two
decades. They have allowed us to observe the emergence of linguistic
properties arising from communicative interactions among agents on
various levels and timescales, which are not easy to observe experimentally.
 At the same time, other various methodologies have also emerged, which
have allowed us to obtain empirical data with regard to language
evolution. Experimental approaches on cultural evolution of language
enable us to observe the emergence of new languages or grammars used by
human participants directly. The recent progress of new media or
information technologies also allows us to grasp trends in real
linguistic changes by analyzing huge linguistic resources such as google
books, etc. Comparative approaches based on data from animal species
such as vocal learning of songbirds is increasing its significance. In
addition, mathematical approaches have contributed to better
understanding of essential aspects of computational models such as an
iterated learning model, etc.
 In the light of these recent developments and progress of
interdisciplinary approaches for understanding language evolution, we
would like to reconsider the significance of constructive approaches
including computational and mathematical modeling for understanding
language evolution in this workshop. We would like to invite
contributions on language evolution based on constructive approaches, in
addition to some invited talks. The authors are also requested to
mention how constructive approach can contribute to language evolution.
 Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
-- Simulation and analyses of emergent properties of language evolution
based on constructive approaches including computational and
mathematical models
-- How constructive approaches can develop a mutually complementary
relationship with other methodologies for understanding language evolution
-- More general discussions of the roles of constructive approaches in
scientific researches, including language evolution

* Paper format
-- The submitted paper needs to follow the format for the main
conference, and its length needs to be 2-10 pages.
-- The contribution of the submitted paper needs to include 1) a work
 based on new computational / mathematical models or experimental
studies, or 2) a novel discussion on the roles of constructive
approaches to language evolution. In the case 2), it is OK to use
previously published works for discussions.

* Publication
 We will upload an online proceedings of this workshop on this website.

* Important dates
-- The deadline of submission: December 30th 2011
-- Notification of acceptance: Late January 2012
-- The workshop: March 13th 2012

* Organizers
 Reiji Suzuki (Nagoya University, Japan)
 Takashi Hashimoto (JAIST, Japan)

* Contact
Reiji Suzuki
Graduate School of Information Science, Nagoya University
e-mail: reiji at nagoya-u.jp

* Workshop website
http://www.alife.cs.is.nagoya-u.ac.jp/evolangixws/

-- -----------------------
Reiji SUZUKI, Ph.D.
Graduate School of Infomation Science, Nagoya University
reiji at nagoya-u.jp
http://www.alife.cs.is.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~reiji/