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Competition Of Languages And Their Hamming Distance

Author

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  • TIBERIU TEŞILEANU

    (School of Engineering and Science, International University Bremen, P. O. Box 750561, D-28725 Bremen, Germany)

  • HILDEGARD MEYER-ORTMANNS

    (School of Engineering and Science, International University Bremen, P. O. Box 750561, D-28725 Bremen, Germany)

Abstract

We consider the spreading and competition of languages that are spoken by a population of individuals. The individuals can change their mother tongue during their lifespan, pass on their language to their offspring and finally die. The languages are described by bitstrings, their mutual difference is expressed in terms of their Hamming distance. Language evolution is determined by mutation and adaptation rates. In particular we consider the case where the replacement of a language by another one is determined by their mutual Hamming distance. As a function of the mutation rate we find a sharp transition between a scenario with one dominant language and fragmentation into many language clusters. The transition is also reflected in the Hamming distance between the two languages with the largest and second to largest number of speakers. We also consider the case where the population is localized on a square lattice and the interaction of individuals is restricted to a certain geometrical domain. Here it is again the Hamming distance that plays an essential role in the final fate of a language of either surviving or being extinct.

Suggested Citation

  • Tiberiu Teşileanu & Hildegard Meyer-Ortmanns, 2006. "Competition Of Languages And Their Hamming Distance," International Journal of Modern Physics C (IJMPC), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 17(02), pages 259-278.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:ijmpcx:v:17:y:2006:i:02:n:s0129183106008765
    DOI: 10.1142/S0129183106008765
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Patriarca, Marco & Leppänen, Teemu, 2004. "Modeling language competition," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 338(1), pages 296-299.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Boissonneault & Paul Vogt, 2021. "A systematic and interdisciplinary review of mathematical models of language competition," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-12, December.

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