Lecturer - Language Studies
English Studies University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA
I'm co-director of the Masters course in English Language and Linguistics, which provides a wide-ranging and extensive programme centered on the English language, covering both theoretical approaches to linguistics and their application in a broader context. I also teach undergraduate courses on Language and Society, Foundations of Language, Language and the Brain, and the History of the English Language.
I study the cognitive and cultural foundations of language, to investigate how language originated and became complex. My areas of research interest include grammaticalisation, the evolution of language, the cognitive origins of linguistic complexity, (socio-)cognitive linguistics and cultural evolution.
You can follow me on Twitter: Follow @AndrewDMSmith
Most Inspiring Lecturer: RATE Teaching Awards 2012
University of Stirling
External Examiner
University of Edinburgh
I am External Examiner for the MSc Evolution of Language and Cognition programme at the University of Edinburgh
My research explores the historical development and ongoing evolution of language through investigating the socio-pragmatic, cognitive and cultural foundations of linguistic communication. Key to my approach is the acknowledgment that language is: inherently inferential, in that meaning is reconstructed by hearers, not transmitted directly from speakers; a flexible set of negotiated cultural conventions, so the way in which language is acquired and used impacts on its structure.
I'm interested in a number of fundamental questions such as the motivations and mechanisms of language change and evolution; the nature of grammaticalisation and the emergence of complexity in language; the relationship between learning, regularisation and systematicity; the way in which learners work out the meanings of unfamiliar words through processes such as cross-situational learning.
From Social Interaction to Symbols and Grammar: a unified model of language evolution and language change
PI: Dr Andrew Smith
Funded by: The Royal Society of Edinburgh
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Cross-Situational Learning in Children
PI: Dr Andrew Smith
Funded by: The British Academy
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Book Chapter
From metaphor to symbols and grammar: the cumulative cultural evolution of language
Smith ADM & Höfler S (2017) From metaphor to symbols and grammar: the cumulative cultural evolution of language. In: Power C, Finnegan M & Callan H (eds.) Human Origins: contributions from social anthropology. Methodology & History in Anthropology, 30. Berghahn, pp. 153-179. http://www.berghahnbooks.com/title/PowerHuman#toc
Book Chapter
Smith ADM (2017) Grammaticalization Theory. In: Shackelford T & Weekes-Shackelford V (eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Cham: Springer, pp. 1-8. http://link.springer.com/referencework/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6; https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3327-1
Commentary
Language Boundaries Driven By Surface Tension
Smith ADM (2017) Language Boundaries Driven By Surface Tension. Commentary on: J. Burridge, "Spatial Evolution of Human Dialects," Phys. Rev. X 7, 031008 (2017). Physics - Spotlighting Exceptional Research, 10, Art. No.: 80. https://physics.aps.org/articles/v10/80; https://doi.org/10.1103/Physics.10.80
Article
Word Learning Under Infinite Uncertainty
Blythe R, Smith ADM & Smith K (2016) Word Learning Under Infinite Uncertainty. Cognition, 151, pp. 18-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2016.02.017
Book Chapter
Dynamic Models of Language Evolution: The Linguistic Perspective
Smith ADM (2016) Dynamic Models of Language Evolution: The Linguistic Perspective. In: Ginsburgh V & Weber S (eds.) The Palgrave Handbook of Economics and Language. Basingstoke: Palgrave, pp. 61-100. http://www.palgrave.com/gb/book/9781137325044
Book Chapter
The pivotal role of metaphor in the evolution of human language
Smith ADM & Höfler S (2015) The pivotal role of metaphor in the evolution of human language. In: Díaz-Vera J (ed.) Metaphor and Metonymy Across Time and Cultures: perspectives on the sociohistorical linguistics of figurative language. Cognitive Linguitics Research, 52. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, pp. 123-140. http://www.degruyter.com/view/product/211440
Edited Book
New Directions in Grammaticalization Research
Smith ADM, Trousdale G & Waltereit R (eds.) (2015) New Directions in Grammaticalization Research. Studies in Language Companion Series, 166. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. https://benjamins.com/#catalog/books/slcs.166/main
Article
Models of language evolution and change
Smith ADM (2014) Models of language evolution and change. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science, 5 (3), pp. 281-293. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcs.1285
Book Chapter
Linguistic Replicators: a wild goose chase?
Smith ADM (2012) Linguistic Replicators: a wild goose chase?. In: Scott-Phillips T, Tamariz M, Cartmill E & Hurford J (eds.) The Evolution of Language. Singapore: World Scientifc, pp. 541-2.
Book Chapter
Smith ADM & Smith K (2012) Cross-situational Learning. In: Seel N (ed.) Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning. 2012 ed. New York: Springer p. 866.
Book Chapter
Grammaticalisation and Language Evolution
Smith ADM (2011) Grammaticalisation and Language Evolution. In: Narrog H & Heine B (eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Grammaticalization. Oxford: OUP p. 152. http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/Linguistics/TheoreticalDescriptiveLinguistic/?view=usa&ci=9780199586783#Author_Information
Article
Cross-situational learning: An experimental study of word-learning mechanisms
Smith K, Smith ADM & Blythe R (2011) Cross-situational learning: An experimental study of word-learning mechanisms. Cognitive Science, 35 (3), pp. 480-498. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1551-6709.2010.01158.x
Edited Book
Smith ADM, Schouwstra M, de Boer B & Smith K (eds.) (2010) The Evolution of Language [Evolang 8]. Singapore: World Scientific. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Evolution-Language-Proceedings-International-Conference/dp/9814295213/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338378853&sr=1-1
Conference Paper (published)
Exploring the Nature of a Systematicity Bias: An Experimental Study
Smith ADM, Skarabela B & Tamariz M (2010) Exploring the Nature of a Systematicity Bias: An Experimental Study. In: Smith A, Schouwstra M, de Boer B & Smith K (eds.) The Evolution of Language: Proceedings of the 8th Interational Conference. London: World Scientific, pp. 289-296.
Article
Learning times for large lexicons through cross-situational learning
Blythe R, Smith K & Smith ADM (2010) Learning times for large lexicons through cross-situational learning. Cognitive Science, 34 (4), pp. 620-642. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1551-6709.2009.01089.x
Edited Book
Murray H, Murray JC, Fraser S, Crone A, Davies A, Deacon C, Dolan B, Evershed RP, Hastie M, Higginbottom G, Lancaster S, Marshall P, McCulloch R, Meharg AA, Sheridan A, Smith A, Smith C, Soberl L, Timpany S, Tipping R, Warren G & Winterbottom SJ (eds.) (2009) A tale of the unknown unknowns: a Mesolithic pit alignment and a Neolithic timber hall at Warren Field, Crathes, Aberdeenshire. Oxford: Oxbow Books. http://www.oxbowbooks.com/oxbow/a-tale-of-the-unknown-unknowns.html
Article
The pre-linguistic basis of grammaticalisation a unified approach to metaphor and reanalysis
Hoefler SH & Smith ADM (2009) The pre-linguistic basis of grammaticalisation a unified approach to metaphor and reanalysis. Studies in Language, 33 (4), pp. 886-909. https://doi.org/10.1075/sl.33.4.03hoe
Book Chapter
Smith ADM, Smith K & Blythe R (2009) Reconsidering human cross-situational learning capacities: a revision to Yu & Smith's (2007) experimental paradigm. In: Taatgen N & van Rijn H (eds.) Proceedings of the 31st International Conference of the Cognitive Science Society.. Austin, TX: Cognitive Science Society, pp. 2711-16.
Book Chapter
Reanalysis vs metaphor: what grammaticalisation can tell us about language evolution
Smith ADM & Höfler S (2008) Reanalysis vs metaphor: what grammaticalisation can tell us about language evolution. In: Smith A, Smith K & Ferrer iCR (eds.) The Evolution of Language. Singapore: World Scientific, pp. 163-70.
Book Chapter
Regularity in mappings between signals and meanings
Smith ADM & Tamariz M (2008) Regularity in mappings between signals and meanings. In: Smith A, Smith K & Ferrer iCR (eds.) The Evolution of Language. Singapore: World Scientific, pp. 315-22.
Edited Book
Smith ADM, Smith K & Ferrer i Cancho R (eds.) (2008) The Evolution of Language [Evolang 7]. Singapore: World Scientific. http://www.amazon.co.uk/EVOLUTION-LANGUAGE-PROCEEDINGS-INTERNATIONAL-CONFERENCE/dp/9812776117/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338378989&sr=1-1
Article
Smith ADM (2008) Protolanguage reconstructed. Interaction Studies, 9 (1), pp. 100-116. https://doi.org/10.1075/is.9.1.08smi
Commentary
The brain plus the cultural transmission mechanism determine the nature of language
Smith K, Kirby S & Smith ADM (2008) The brain plus the cultural transmission mechanism determine the nature of language. Commentary on: MH Christiansen and N Chater,"Language as shaped by the brain", Behavioral and Brain Sciences, (2008) Vol.31, pp.489–558.. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 31 (5), pp. 533-534. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X08005244
Book Chapter
Language Change and the Inference of Meaning
Smith ADM (2007) Language Change and the Inference of Meaning. In: Lyon C, Nehaniv C & Cangelosi A (eds.) Emergence of Communication and Language. New York: Springer, pp. 323-37. http://www.springer.com/computer/ai/book/978-1-84628-491-5
Book Review
Review of: The origin of vowel systems, Bart de Boer, xiii+168 pp., Oxford University Press, 2001
Smith ADM (2007) Review of: The origin of vowel systems, Bart de Boer, xiii+168 pp., Oxford University Press, 2001. Review of: The Origin of Vowel Systems, Bart de Boer, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001; xiii + 168 pp., ISBN-10: 0198299664; ISBN-13: 978-0198299660. Lingua, 117 (4), pp. 721-726. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lingua.2006.02.001
Edited Book
Cangelosi A, Smith ADM & Smith K (eds.) (2006) The Evolution of Language [Evolang 6]. Singapore: World Scientific. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Evolution-Language-Proceedings-International-Conference/dp/9812566562/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338379059&sr=1-1
Book Chapter
Cross-situational learning: A mathematical approach
Smith K, Smith ADM, Blythe R & Vogt P (2006) Cross-situational learning: A mathematical approach. In: Vogt P, Sugita Y, Tuci E & Nehaniv (eds.) Symbol Grounding and Beyond: Third International Workshop on the Emergence and Evolution of Linguistic Communication, EELC 2006, Rome, Italy, September 30 – October 1, 2006. Proceedings. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 4211. Heidelberg: Springer, pp. 31-44. http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/11880172_3#; https://doi.org/10.1007/11880172_3
Book Chapter
Semantic reconstructibility and the complexification of language
Smith ADM (2006) Semantic reconstructibility and the complexification of language. In: Cangelosi A, Smith A & Smith K (eds.) The Evolution of Language. Singapore: World Scientific, pp. 307-14.
Book Chapter
Mutual Exclusivity: communicative success despite conceptual divergence
Smith ADM (2005) Mutual Exclusivity: communicative success despite conceptual divergence. In: Tallerman M (ed.) Language Origins: perspectives on evolution. Studies in the Evolution of Language, Volume 4. Oxford: OUP, pp. 372-88. http://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Language_Origins.html?id=CAF6haLB5K4C
Conference Paper (published)
Stable communication through dynamic language
Smith ADM (2005) Stable communication through dynamic language. In: AISB’05: Social Intelligence and Interaction in Animals, Robots and Agents: Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on the Emergence and Evolution of Linguistic Communication. Second International Symposium on the Emergence and Evolution of Linguistic Communication, Hatfield UK, 12.04.2005-15.04.2005. Hatfield, Hertfordshire UK: The Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and the Simulation of Behaviour, pp. 135-142. http://www.aisb.org.uk/publications/proceedings/aisb2005/1_EELC_Final.pdf
Article
The inferential transmission of language
Smith ADM (2005) The inferential transmission of language. Adaptive Behavior, 13 (4), pp. 311-324. https://doi.org/10.1177/105971230501300402
Commentary
Learning colour words is slow: A cross-situational learning account
Vogt P & Smith ADM (2005) Learning colour words is slow: A cross-situational learning account. Commentary on: L. Steels and T. Belpaeme, 'Coordinating perceptually grounded categories through language: A case study for colour', Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2005) 28, pp. 469–489. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 28 (4), pp. 509-510. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X0544008X
Book Chapter
Establishing communication systems without explicit meaning transmission
Smith ADM (2001) Establishing communication systems without explicit meaning transmission. In: Kelemen J & Sosik P (eds.) Advances in Artificial Life: 6th European Conference, ECAL 2001, Prague, Czech Republic, September 10-14, 2001 Proceedings. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 4648. London: Springer-Verlag, pp. 381-390. http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=648817; https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-44811-X_41
ENG9UHL History of the English Language
LINP02 Language and Cognition
LINP06 Evolutionary Linguistics
LINPP01 Structures of Language
LINU911 Language and Society
LINU912 Foundations of Language
LINU9L3 Language and the Brain
