GESDA Anticipation Workshop - Language and Communication

Manuel Gustavo Isaac

Sophie Gilbert

Jennifer Culbertson

Although human physiology has enabled the most complex language-based communication we know of, plenty of other species demonstrate vocal communications that are extremely interesting to researchers working in the area of language development. Animal studies have provided some understanding, but much remains to be discovered about, for instance, the neurological and genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution and encoding of speech and language; the commonalities of human language and other forms of communication; the causes of and possible therapeutic pathways for treating human language disorders. Animal models of language evolution and efforts to decode and analyse animal communications such as humpback whale song are offering insights in these areas. What will be the likely breakthroughs of the next 5, 10 and 25 years, and how might they affect our understanding of language and communication in humans and other animals?

Simon Townsend

Yossi Yovel

In the past few years, significant progress in the development of large language models (LLMs) has made human interaction with AI an everyday occurrence. While these developments have many applications, both practical and theoretical, the ways in which they will impact human culture and language are unknown. Some of these may be positive: LLMs may help find ways in which languages can be preserved, enhanced and revitalised in real-world scenarios. However, models of cultural evolution also point to possible challenges. What can we expect in the next 5, 10 and 25 years in this fast-changing area?

Kenny Smith

Ryan Nefdt

There are many methods and sources of data for understanding human language and communication, including its genetic and neural underpinnings, and how it is learned by adults and children. Although some of these —neuroimaging, behavioral experiments, large corpora of speech, etc. — have been around for many years, there are good opportunities to innovate in this area. More linguistic data than ever is now available, researchers are developing new behavioral methods, algorithms, and this research is increasing applied across cultures. What are the most exciting emerging new techniques that promise to deepen our understanding of language, its evolution, and its acquisition processes? Are there known gaps in the researchers’ toolkits, and how might these gaps be filled in the next 5, 10 and 25 years?

Carmen Saldana

Damian Blasi

Increased migration due to conflict, climate change or economic factors is causing significant demographic change across many societies. The consequences of this include a rise in multilingualism, particularly among younger generations, and a need to provide multilingual resources in public spaces and in social provisions such as education. Life in an increasingly multilingual environment provides opportunities for establishing positive new social identities and connections but also raises questions about “belonging” and “identity”, and necessitates the development of policies concerning language use. How can academic research inform and help these ongoing societal shifts to establish tolerant, thriving multilingual societies, and what will be the likely research breakthroughs of the next 5, 10 and 25 years?

Federico M. Federici

Anna Ghimenton

Jennifer Culbertson

GESDA Anticipation Workshop - Language and Communication