Agent-based Computer Simulations of Language Choice Dynamics

• Published in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Vol. 1167; no. 1; pp. 221 - 229
• Main Authors: Hadzibeganovic, Tarik, Stauffer, Dietrich, Schulze, Christian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.06.2009
• Subjects: agent-based model; Computer Simulation; Humans; Language; language choice; Monte Carlo Method; Monte Carlo simulation; opinion dynamics
• ISSN: 0077-8923; 1749-6632
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04507.x

We use agent‐based Monte Carlo simulations to address the problem of language choice dynamics in a tripartite community that is linguistically homogeneous but politically divided. We observe the process of nonlocal pattern formation that causes populations to self‐organize into stable antagonistic groups as a result of the local dynamics of attraction and influence between individual computational agents. Our findings uncover some of the unique properties of opinion formation in social groups when the process is affected by asymmetric noise distribution, unstable intergroup boundaries, and different migratory behaviors. Although we focus on one particular study, the proposed stochastic dynamic models can be easily generalized and applied to investigate the evolution of other complex and nonlinear features of human collective behavior.