Workshop on Topology: Identifying Order in Complex Systems
Loops and Self Reference in Language and Life
We will discuss the notion of loops in linguistic structures, mainly in dictionaries. In a simplified view, a dictionary is a graph that links every word (vertex) to a set of alternative words (the definition) which in turn point to further descendants. Iterating through definitions, one may loop back to the original word. We will examine possible links between such definitional loops and the emergence of new concepts during the evolution of languages. Potential relation to living systems will be briefly discussed.
Date & Time
March 06, 2015 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Location
S-101Speakers
Affiliation
Weizmann Institute of Science; Member, Simons Center for Systems Biology, IAS