On Probability and Knowability in Language: A Physics Perspective

Since the 20th century, science development follows a trend, characterized with high degrees of divergence, as well as convergence, shaking the traditional system of science disciplines. Linguistic studies follow a similar pattern, which highlights on social disciplines, but few of them take the adv...

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Published inTheory and practice in language studies Vol. 5; no. 7; pp. 1446 - 1450
Main Author Yang, Yilong
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London Academy Publication Co., LTD 01.07.2015
Academy Publication Co., Ltd
Subjects
Aerospace Education
Astronomy
Computational Linguistics
Epistemology
Language
Language Research
Linguistics
Mathematical Formulas
Mechanics (Physics)
Natural language processing
Neurolinguistics
Organic Chemistry
Physics
Physics research
Probability
Quantum Mechanics
Scientists
Social Sciences
Technological Advancement
Translation
Online AccessGet full text
ISSN1799-2591
2053-0692
DOI10.17507/tpls.0507.17

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Summary:Since the 20th century, science development follows a trend, characterized with high degrees of divergence, as well as convergence, shaking the traditional system of science disciplines. Linguistic studies follow a similar pattern, which highlights on social disciplines, but few of them take the advantage of nature sciences. In the case, this article attempts to explore two long-lasting issues in language studies from a physics perspective. Since, on the one hand, physics is a much well-developed science than linguistics, the troubles and problems the latter faces may be like those of the former. Also, the great similarities shared by the two sciences may shed light on the latter. To be more specific, in reviewing the transition from classical mechanics to quantum physics, the importance of probability is explored, and thus the concept can be used in language research. A second point is about two epistemologies in physics, namely, the Corpernican principle and the anthropic principle, which proposes totally different sets of hypotheses on whether the nature of universe could be known and understood by humans. Inspired by two theories, the puzzle about the nature of language is discussed. The article concludes that, the research in physics can guide and stimulate linguistic studies. Index Terms--linguistics, physics, probability, knowability
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ISSN:1799-2591
2053-0692
DOI:10.17507/tpls.0507.17