Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Literature review › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Literature review › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Connectionist approaches to language learning
AU - Westermann, Gert
AU - Ruh, Nicolas
AU - Plunkett, Kim
PY - 2009/3
Y1 - 2009/3
N2 - In the past twenty years the connectionist approach to language development and learning has emerged as an alternative,e to traditional linguistic theories. This article introduces the connectionist paradigm by describing basic operating principles of neural network models as it;ell as different network architectures. The application of neural network models to explanations for linguistic problems is illustrated by reviewing a number of models for different aspects of language development, from speech sound acquisition to the development of syntax. Two main ben(fits of the connectionist approach are highlighted: implemented models offer a high degree of specificity, for a particular theory, and the explicit integration of a learning process into theory building allows for detailed investigation of the effect of he linguistic environment on a child. Issues regarding learnability or the need to assume innate and domain specific knowledge thus become an empirical question that can be answered by evaluating a model's performance.
AB - In the past twenty years the connectionist approach to language development and learning has emerged as an alternative,e to traditional linguistic theories. This article introduces the connectionist paradigm by describing basic operating principles of neural network models as it;ell as different network architectures. The application of neural network models to explanations for linguistic problems is illustrated by reviewing a number of models for different aspects of language development, from speech sound acquisition to the development of syntax. Two main ben(fits of the connectionist approach are highlighted: implemented models offer a high degree of specificity, for a particular theory, and the explicit integration of a learning process into theory building allows for detailed investigation of the effect of he linguistic environment on a child. Issues regarding learnability or the need to assume innate and domain specific knowledge thus become an empirical question that can be answered by evaluating a model's performance.
KW - ENGLISH PAST TENSE
KW - EARLY LEXICAL DEVELOPMENT
KW - GERMAN INFLECTION
KW - VERB MORPHOLOGY
KW - COGNITIVE-DEVELOPMENT
KW - SELF-ORGANIZATION
KW - SPEECH-PERCEPTION
KW - DYNAMIC-SYSTEMS
KW - NEURAL NETWORKS
KW - MODEL
U2 - 10.1515/LING.2009.015
DO - 10.1515/LING.2009.015
M3 - Literature review
VL - 47
SP - 413
EP - 452
JO - Linguistics
JF - Linguistics
SN - 1613-396X
IS - 2
ER -