[EDLING:385] CFP: Special Issue of Connection Science

[Francis M Hult]

Connection Science Vol. 16, No. 2, June 2004

Call for Papers A Special Issue on ‘The Emergence of Language: Neural and
Adaptive Agent Models’

Guest Editor: Angelo Cangelosi

Connection Science is calling papers for a
special issue entitled ‘The Emergence of Language: Neural and Adaptive
Agent Models’. Studies of the emergence of language focus on the
evolutionary and/or developmental factors that affect the acquisition and
auto-organisation of a linguistic communication system. Both
language-specific abilities (e.g. speech, semantics, syntax) and other
cognitive, sensorimotor and social abilities (e.g. category learning,
action and embodiment, social networks) contribute to the emergence of
language.

Key research issues and topics in the area include:

Emergentism as an alternative to the nativism/empiricism dichotomy
Identification of basic processes producing language
complexity
Grammaticalization and emergence of syntax
Emergent models of language acquisition
Evolution and origins of language Pidgin, creole and second language acquisition
Neural bases of emergent language processes
Auto-organization of shared lexicons in groups of individuals/agents
Grounding of symbols and language in perception and action

The main aims of this special issue are to foster
interdisciplinary and multi-methodological approaches to modelling the
emergence of language, and to identify key research directions for the
future. Models based on neural networks (connectionism, computational
neuroscience) and adaptive agent methodologies (artificial life,
multi-agent systems, robotics), or integrated neural/agent approaches, are
particularly encouraged.

The submitted papers are expected to: (i) focus
on one or more related research issues (see list above), (ii) explain the
importance of the topic, the open problems and the different approaches
discussed in the literature, (iii) discuss the advantages and drawbacks of
the neural and adaptive agent approaches with respect to other
methodologies (including experimental research) and (iv) present original
models and/or significant new results. Review papers may also be
considered.

Invited Papers The special issue will include two invited
papers, one from Brian MacWhinney (Carnegie Mellon University) and one
from Luc Steels (VUB University Brussels andSONY Computer Labs Paris). The
invited papers are:

Brian MacWhinney, ‘Emergent Linguistic Structures and
the Problem of Time’ (focus on neural network modeling)

Luc Steels, ‘Mirror Learning and the Self-Organisation of Languages’
(focus on adaptive agent modeling)

Submission Instructions
Manuscripts, either full papers or shorter research notes (up to 4000
words), following the Connection Science guidelines
(http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/authors/ccosauth.asp) should be emailed
to the guest editor by December 1, 2004. Reviews will be completed by
March 1, 2005, and final drafts will be accepted no later than May 1,
2005.

The special issue will be published in September 2005.
Guest Editor, Angelo Cangelosi
Adaptive Behaviour and Cognition Research Group
School of Computing, Communication & Electronics
University of Plymouth, Plymouth
PL4 8AA, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1752 232559 Fax: +44 (0) 1752 232540
E-mail: acangelosi at plymouth.ac.uk
Web: http://www.tech.plym.ac.uk/soc/staff/angelo