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Language is a super-attractor: Does it evolve through subjective selection?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2026

Christophe Frédéric Heintz*
Affiliation:
Department of Cognitive Science, Central European University, Vienna, Austria christophe.heintz@gmail.com heintzc@ceu.edu http://christophe.heintz.free.fr
Daniel Nettle
Affiliation:
Institut Jean Nicod, CNRS, ENS/PSL, Paris, France daniel.nettle@ens.psl.eu https://danielnettle.eu
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

Language exemplifies Singh’s super-attractor concept while testing the explanatory limits of subjective selection, which is just one of the processes of cultural evolution. Subjective selection explains many linguistic features through speakers’ instrumental goals. However, other types of processes also shape language evolution: some, related to learning and perception, for instance, will not involve intentions or conscious selection. Others involve intentionally creating and transforming linguistic constructions rather than merely selecting them from random mutations.

Information

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press

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