"evolutionary linguistics"的定义和意义

What is "evolutionary linguistics"?

Evolutionary linguistics is the study of how languages change and develop over time, often drawing on principles from evolutionary biology. This field examines the processes that influence language change, such as social, cognitive, and environmental factors. Evolutionary linguists explore how languages evolve, diversify, and sometimes become extinct, seeking to understand the mechanisms behind these changes. This approach may also consider the origins of language itself, investigating how human language capabilities may have evolved alongside other cognitive and social skills. By integrating insights from anthropology, psychology, and genetics, evolutionary linguistics aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of language development and change.