Modelling Language

arXiv:2404.09579v1 Announce Type: new
Abstract: This paper argues that large language models have a valuable scientific role to play in serving as scientific models of a language. Linguistic study should not only be concerned with the cognitive processes behind linguistic competence, but also with language understood as an external, social entity. Once this is recognized, the value of large language models as scientific models becomes clear. This paper defends this position against a number of arguments to the effect that …

abstract arxiv cognitive cs.ai cs.cl language language models large language large language models modelling paper processes role scientific social study type value