Speaker
Katharina Prochazka
(University of Vienna)
Description
Both matter and language are dynamic systems constantly in motion. Language dynamics can lead to so-called language shift when people give up use of their language for another. We show that it is possible to study language shift on a large scale by using methods from diffusion physics. We present a microscopic model for language diffusion [1] and its application to data on minority languages in Austria and Hungary. Our model allows us not only to identify the driving factors for language shift, but also to follow deviating local processes such as the different dynamics in urban areas.
[1] Prochazka K, Vogl G (2017) PNAS 114(17): 4365–4369
Author
Katharina Prochazka
(University of Vienna)
Co-author
Prof.
Gero Vogl
(University of Vienna)
