PODCAST · education
Darwin and language diversity - Audio
by The Open University
Can Darwin's theory of evolution be applied to languages? If so what are the analogues for natural selection and species diversification? What truths does this approach reveal and what problems does it throw up? In this album Professor Mark Pagel of Reading University and Quentin Atkinson, an evolutionary biologist at Oxford, discuss the pitfalls and the up-sides to approaching language through a Darwinian model. Focussing on Indo-European languages, they show how mathematical and statistical models can be used to study the development of both particular words and of grammatical terms. Looking to the future they speculate on how language will develop in the new globalised culture. The tracks on this album were produced by The Open University in collaboration with the British Council. They form part of Darwin Now, a global initiative celebrating the life and work of Charles Darwin and the impact his ideas about evolution continue to have on today’s world. © British Council 2009.
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Darwin and language diversity
A short introduction to this album.
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A Darwinian approach to language
What happens when you apply Darwin to the development of language? Mark Pagel and Quentin Atkinson explore the parallels.
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10
Conservation and diversification
In the tree of Indo-European languages, some words are remarkably similar across several languages, whilst many other words are remarkably different.
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9
Revolution or evolution?
Why, when languages change, do they often do so in rapid bursts.
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8
Warriors or farmers - who spread Indo-European languages?
There are two theories about the way that Indo-European languages spread - which one is correct?
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7
Towards a global language?
Can Darwin's theories predict the future of language? Why are languages so resilient in the face of globalisation?
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Can Darwin's theory of evolution be applied to languages? If so what are the analogues for natural selection and species diversification? What truths does this approach reveal and what problems does it throw up? In this album Professor Mark Pagel of Reading University and Quentin Atkinson, an evolutionary biologist at Oxford, discuss the pitfalls and the up-sides to approaching language through a Darwinian model. Focussing on Indo-European languages, they show how mathematical and statistical models can be used to study the development of both particular words and of grammatical terms. Looking to the future they speculate on how language will develop in the new globalised culture. The tracks on this album were produced by The Open University in collaboration with the British Council. They form part of Darwin Now, a global initiative celebrating the life and work of Charles Darwin and the impact his ideas about evolution continue to have on today’s world. © British Council 2009.
HOSTED BY
The Open University
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How many episodes does Darwin and language diversity - Audio have?
Darwin and language diversity - Audio currently has 6 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Darwin and language diversity - Audio about?
Can Darwin's theory of evolution be applied to languages? If so what are the analogues for natural selection and species diversification? What truths does this approach reveal and what problems does it throw up? In this album Professor Mark Pagel of Reading University and Quentin Atkinson, an...
How often does Darwin and language diversity - Audio release new episodes?
Darwin and language diversity - Audio has 6 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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Darwin and language diversity - Audio is created and hosted by The Open University.
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