Language and Complex Systems

Language and Complex Systems

Author: William A. Kretzschmar, Jr

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2015-05-28

Total Pages: 245

ISBN-13: 1316368807

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

An understanding of language as a complex system helps us to think differently about linguistics, and helps us to address the impact of linguistic interaction. This book demonstrates how the science of complex systems changes every area of linguistics: how to make a grammar, how to think about the history of language, how language works in the brain, and how it works in social settings. Kretzschmar argues that to construct the best grammars of languages it is necessary to understand the complex system of speech. Each chapter makes specific recommendations for how linguists should manage empirical data in order to form better generalizations about a language and its varieties. The book will be welcomed by students and scholars working in linguistics and English language, especially the study of language variation and the historical development of English.


Language as a Complex Adaptive System

Language as a Complex Adaptive System

Author: Nick C. Ellis

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2009-12-30

Total Pages: 290

ISBN-13: 144433400X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Explores a new approach to studying language as a complex adaptive system, illustrating its commonalities across many areas of language research Brings together a team of leading researchers in linguistics, psychology, and complex systems to discuss the groundbreaking significance of this perspective for their work Illustrates its application across a variety of subfields, including languages usage, language evolution, language structure, and first and second language acquisition "What a breath of fresh air! As interesting a collection of papers as you are likely to find on the evolution, learning, and use of language from the point of view of both cognitive underpinnings and communicative functions." Michael Tomasello, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology


Complex Systems and Applied Linguistics

Complex Systems and Applied Linguistics

Author: Diane Larsen-Freeman

Publisher: OUP Oxford

Published: 2008-04-17

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13: 9780194422444

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Accessible introduction to rapidly growing field of interest across disciplines. Explains key constructs: chaos; complexity; dynamic systems; emergence etc. Demonstrates applications to areas of applied linguistics. Illustrates how complex systems thinking can challenge established ideas. Discusses implications for theory, research, and practice.


Individual Differences in Language Learning

Individual Differences in Language Learning

Author: Carol Griffiths

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-12-01

Total Pages: 228

ISBN-13: 3030529002

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This textbook takes a Complex Systems Theory approach to examine individual differences between learners and the potential impact of these variables on the process of acquiring a second language. The authors argue that individual variables cannot provide the complete picture, and that they must instead be understood as part of an interconnected and dynamic system of different factors in order to be useful in a language learning context. Written in an accessible style and suitable for final-year undergraduate and Masters-level students, the book includes clear definitions of key terms, discussion questions for classroom use, practical exercises and activities, and examples of real empirical studies that students and teachers can replicate in their own contexts. This textbook will be of interest to students taking TESOL and SLA courses and modules, as well as those on broader Applied Linguistics programmes.


A Language School as a Complex System

A Language School as a Complex System

Author: Achilleas Ioannis Kostoulas

Publisher: Peter Lang Gmbh, Internationaler Verlag Der Wissenschaften

Published: 2018

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9783631735688

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book uses a complex systems perspective to describe how a language school in Greece evolved, and at times resisted change. Starting with an accessible introduction to complex systems theory (CST), it uses a complexity perspective to interpret data generated during a year of fieldwork. The author outlines the linguistic, pedagogical and political influences that shape teaching and learning at the school. He shows how teaching and learning emerged from the interaction of top-down constraints, available resources, and purposes of instruction. This produces a nuanced understanding English Language Teaching against the backdrop of globalisation. Additionally, the author exemplifies how CST can provide a theoretically powerful frame for researching English Language Teaching.


Modeling Complex Systems

Modeling Complex Systems

Author: Nino Boccara

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2010-09-09

Total Pages: 490

ISBN-13: 1441965629

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book illustrates how models of complex systems are built up and provides indispensable mathematical tools for studying their dynamics. This second edition includes more recent research results and many new and improved worked out examples and exercises.


Complexity and Postmodernism

Complexity and Postmodernism

Author: Paul Cilliers

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2002-09-11

Total Pages: 170

ISBN-13: 1134743297

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

In Complexity and Postmodernism, Paul Cilliers explores the idea of complexity in the light of contemporary perspectives from philosophy and science. Cilliers offers us a unique approach to understanding complexity and computational theory by integrating postmodern theory (like that of Derrida and Lyotard) into his discussion. Complexity and Postmodernism is an exciting and an original book that should be read by anyone interested in gaining a fresh understanding of complexity, postmodernism and connectionism.


What Is a Complex System?

What Is a Complex System?

Author: James Ladyman

Publisher: Yale University Press

Published: 2020-08-05

Total Pages: 182

ISBN-13: 0300251106

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

A clear, concise introduction to the quickly growing field of complexity science that explains its conceptual and mathematical foundations What is a complex system? Although "complexity science" is used to understand phenomena as diverse as the behavior of honeybees, the economic markets, the human brain, and the climate, there is no agreement about its foundations. In this introduction for students, academics, and general readers, philosopher of science James Ladyman and physicist Karoline Wiesner develop an account of complexity that brings the different concepts and mathematical measures applied to complex systems into a single framework. They introduce the different features of complex systems, discuss different conceptions of complexity, and develop their own account. They explain why complexity science is so important in today's world.


Philosophy of Complex Systems

Philosophy of Complex Systems

Author:

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2011-05-23

Total Pages: 951

ISBN-13: 0080931227

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The domain of nonlinear dynamical systems and its mathematical underpinnings has been developing exponentially for a century, the last 35 years seeing an outpouring of new ideas and applications and a concomitant confluence with ideas of complex systems and their applications from irreversible thermodynamics. A few examples are in meteorology, ecological dynamics, and social and economic dynamics. These new ideas have profound implications for our understanding and practice in domains involving complexity, predictability and determinism, equilibrium, control, planning, individuality, responsibility and so on.Our intention is to draw together in this volume, we believe for the first time, a comprehensive picture of the manifold philosophically interesting impacts of recent developments in understanding nonlinear systems and the unique aspects of their complexity. The book will focus specifically on the philosophical concepts, principles, judgments and problems distinctly raised by work in the domain of complex nonlinear dynamical systems, especially in recent years.-Comprehensive coverage of all main theories in the philosophy of Complex Systems -Clearly written expositions of fundamental ideas and concepts -Definitive discussions by leading researchers in the field -Summaries of leading-edge research in related fields are also included