Een classificatie van simulatiegebaseerd onderzoek naar taalverandering.

In this article we propose a classification for agent-based computer simulations of language change. The classification hinges on four major categories which describe a trigger on the local level and a global, emergent effect. These categories, which coincide with linguistic subdisciplines, are assessed on the basis of four dimensions: (1) whether meaning plays a role; (2) what agent types (M. Abrams 2013) are used; (3) whether agents are connected in a social structure; (4) whether the focus lies on new forms or the disappearance of old ones. The differences between the categories in the proposed classification reflect their different goals, but because of the versatile nature of simulation research, classification remains a difficult task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]