Unnatural Language Semantics (Breakstone Colloquium on Language, Mind & Computation)

Unnatural language semantics is the study of the meaning of words and expressions in
languages that are very unlike natural languages. In this talk, I will present several case
studies about how unnatural language semantics can inform us about the structure of
natural languages. In particular, I will explain and present several case studies of two
methods for explaining semantic universals (shared properties of meaning across the
languages of the world). One method argues that, at the individual word level, such
universals arise due to learnability. The other method suggests that, at the language
level, they arise due to optimally trading-off the competing pressures of simplicity and
informativeness. The talk will conclude with some discussion about the connections
between the two approaches as well as other applications where unnatural
language semantics can be helpful.

Talk Zoom link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/96054033565

Reception immediately following talk. RSVP here.