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To: JCEccles
The evidence that language is the result of not merely intelligent agents, but agents with exceptionally large brains, is not only self-apparent, it is overwhelming.

While that's somewhat true (although that fails to explain how Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) speaks) we're not consciously directing the evolution of our language, so it is not correct to say that language is designed. I'm not a linguist, but my understanding nevertheless is that the most popular mechanism for linguistic evolution is quite a bit different from biological evolution.

32 posted on 11/11/2005 7:56:55 AM PST by Alter Kaker (Whatever tears one may shed, in the end one always blows one’s nose.-Heine)
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To: Alter Kaker
the most popular mechanism for linguistic evolution is quite a bit different from biological evolution.

I always thought market forces (trading) had something to do with it. That and getting your butt kicked by the enemy. No one will ever explain Msss. Murray.

84 posted on 11/11/2005 5:28:30 PM PST by lizma
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To: Alter Kaker

Language changes much as the economy does: in some part from market forces, and in some part from centralized direction.


106 posted on 03/27/2006 2:23:55 PM PST by Giant Conservative
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