10.3 Competing motivations
There are several explanations of why we would have competing systems. One such explanation is that there are actually competing motivations shaping language.
Automation:
On the one hand, communication systems are under pressure to be more time and energy efficient. We see trends in language that make frequent utterances shorter and more specific.
Idiomatic language is more time and energy efficient in highly specific recurring situations
- Utterances are more easily processed when they are strongly associated to specific communicative situations
- Specific lexical structures avoid ambiguities
- Fine-grained conventions allow for stronger group identity
Simplification is more efficient in constantly changing, unpredictable contexts
- Generalizations allow for creative language use
- Humans need to categorize the complexity of stimuli
- Unspecific linguistic items are easier to use across speech communities
10.3.1 Pidgin, Creole, lingua franca vs. isolated language
