Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
@limorraviv.bsky.social
Group leader LEADS MPI_NL & Radboud ➡️ Language Evolution; Cultural Evolution; Animal & Human Cognition; Open Science; DON'T DREAM IT - BE IT!
Pinned
Interested in the evolution of human language? Check out our new paper in @science.org where we synthesize latest findings and outline a multifaceted, bio-cultural approach for studying how language evolved. Super proud of this work, and hoping it leads to exciting new research! tinyurl.com/ykacvanp
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
Interesting re-reading & re-appraisal of a classic paper on the design features of specific cognitive systems like human language, by @symbolicstorage.bsky.social @mperlman.bsky.social @glupyan.bsky.social K de Reus & @limorraviv.bsky.social
@cp-trendscognsci.bsky.social 🧪
@cp-trendscognsci.bsky.social 🧪
Super proud of this fabulous team for challenging old comparative frameworks and rethinking what makes language language.
Read more in the thread below 👇 or here 📖😊: www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
Read more in the thread below 👇 or here 📖😊: www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
November 26, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Interesting re-reading & re-appraisal of a classic paper on the design features of specific cognitive systems like human language, by @symbolicstorage.bsky.social @mperlman.bsky.social @glupyan.bsky.social K de Reus & @limorraviv.bsky.social
@cp-trendscognsci.bsky.social 🧪
@cp-trendscognsci.bsky.social 🧪
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
We hope this paper leads to renewed discussions and can provide a roadmap for future research comparing human language and non-human animal communication and for the study of language evolution.
Full paper here: doi.org/10.1016/j.ti...
Press release: www.mpi.nl/news/65-year...
Full paper here: doi.org/10.1016/j.ti...
Press release: www.mpi.nl/news/65-year...
65-year-old framework challenged by modern research | Max Planck Institute
www.mpi.nl
November 25, 2025 at 7:49 PM
We hope this paper leads to renewed discussions and can provide a roadmap for future research comparing human language and non-human animal communication and for the study of language evolution.
Full paper here: doi.org/10.1016/j.ti...
Press release: www.mpi.nl/news/65-year...
Full paper here: doi.org/10.1016/j.ti...
Press release: www.mpi.nl/news/65-year...
Super proud of this fabulous team for challenging old comparative frameworks and rethinking what makes language language.
Read more in the thread below 👇 or here 📖😊: www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
Read more in the thread below 👇 or here 📖😊: www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
November 25, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Super proud of this fabulous team for challenging old comparative frameworks and rethinking what makes language language.
Read more in the thread below 👇 or here 📖😊: www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
Read more in the thread below 👇 or here 📖😊: www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
🚨NEW PUBLICATION ALERT!🚨
The 'Design Features' of Language Revisited (w/ @mperlman.bsky.social @glupyan.bsky.social Koen de Reus & @limorraviv.bsky.social)
Feature Review out now in #OpenAccess in @cp-trendscognsci.bsky.social! #language #linguistics
Paper: doi.org/10.1016/j.ti...
The 'Design Features' of Language Revisited (w/ @mperlman.bsky.social @glupyan.bsky.social Koen de Reus & @limorraviv.bsky.social)
Feature Review out now in #OpenAccess in @cp-trendscognsci.bsky.social! #language #linguistics
Paper: doi.org/10.1016/j.ti...
November 25, 2025 at 7:49 PM
🚨NEW PUBLICATION ALERT!🚨
The 'Design Features' of Language Revisited (w/ @mperlman.bsky.social @glupyan.bsky.social Koen de Reus & @limorraviv.bsky.social)
Feature Review out now in #OpenAccess in @cp-trendscognsci.bsky.social! #language #linguistics
Paper: doi.org/10.1016/j.ti...
The 'Design Features' of Language Revisited (w/ @mperlman.bsky.social @glupyan.bsky.social Koen de Reus & @limorraviv.bsky.social)
Feature Review out now in #OpenAccess in @cp-trendscognsci.bsky.social! #language #linguistics
Paper: doi.org/10.1016/j.ti...
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
Despite their allure, “silver bullet” arguments (in which uniqueness of our species is defined by one explanatory factor) are untenable in light of modern biology. Many scholars now view language emergence as dependent on convergence of multiple facets (physical, cognitive, social, cultural). 4/n
November 23, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Despite their allure, “silver bullet” arguments (in which uniqueness of our species is defined by one explanatory factor) are untenable in light of modern biology. Many scholars now view language emergence as dependent on convergence of multiple facets (physical, cognitive, social, cultural). 4/n
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
Origins of language, one of humanity’s most distinctive traits, may be best explained as a unique convergence of multiple capacities each with its own evolutionary history, involving intertwined roles of biology & culture. This framing can expand research horizons. A 🧵 on our @science.org paper.🧪1/n
What enables human language? A biocultural framework
Explaining the origins of language is a key challenge in understanding ourselves as a species. We present an empirical framework that draws on synergies across fields to facilitate robust studies of l...
www.science.org
November 23, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Origins of language, one of humanity’s most distinctive traits, may be best explained as a unique convergence of multiple capacities each with its own evolutionary history, involving intertwined roles of biology & culture. This framing can expand research horizons. A 🧵 on our @science.org paper.🧪1/n
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
Review on language evolution just published - haven't read properly yet but from a quick skim looks important!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
November 20, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Review on language evolution just published - haven't read properly yet but from a quick skim looks important!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
New paper argues language emerged from the interaction of biology and culture - not a single mutation. Vocal learning, grammar, and social sharing each evolved on their own but converged to make human language possible. www.mpi.nl/news/interac...
The interaction of biology and culture: Rethinking where language comes from | Max Planck Institute
www.mpi.nl
November 21, 2025 at 9:42 AM
New paper argues language emerged from the interaction of biology and culture - not a single mutation. Vocal learning, grammar, and social sharing each evolved on their own but converged to make human language possible. www.mpi.nl/news/interac...
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
Excellent @science.org review by an outstanding group, including @inbalarnon.bsky.social @profsimonfisher.bsky.social @limorraviv.bsky.social @simonkirby.bsky.social @lirancarmel.bsky.social @kazuookanoya.bsky.social @luciewolters.bsky.social
What enables human language? A biocultural framework
🧪
What enables human language? A biocultural framework
🧪
What enables human language? A biocultural framework
Explaining the origins of language is a key challenge in understanding ourselves as a species. We present an empirical framework that draws on synergies across fields to facilitate robust studies of l...
www.science.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Excellent @science.org review by an outstanding group, including @inbalarnon.bsky.social @profsimonfisher.bsky.social @limorraviv.bsky.social @simonkirby.bsky.social @lirancarmel.bsky.social @kazuookanoya.bsky.social @luciewolters.bsky.social
What enables human language? A biocultural framework
🧪
What enables human language? A biocultural framework
🧪
Interested in the evolution of human language? Check out our new paper in @science.org where we synthesize latest findings and outline a multifaceted, bio-cultural approach for studying how language evolved. Super proud of this work, and hoping it leads to exciting new research! tinyurl.com/ykacvanp
November 21, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Interested in the evolution of human language? Check out our new paper in @science.org where we synthesize latest findings and outline a multifaceted, bio-cultural approach for studying how language evolved. Super proud of this work, and hoping it leads to exciting new research! tinyurl.com/ykacvanp
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
What enables human language? A biocultural framework. New paper by Inbal Arnon & al. with @limorraviv.bsky.social , @profsimonfisher.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1126/science.adq8303
doi.org/10.1126/science.adq8303
What enables human language? A biocultural framework
Explaining the origins of language is a key challenge in understanding ourselves as a species. We present an empirical framework that draws on synergies across fields to facilitate robust studies of l...
doi.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:35 AM
What enables human language? A biocultural framework. New paper by Inbal Arnon & al. with @limorraviv.bsky.social , @profsimonfisher.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1126/science.adq8303
doi.org/10.1126/science.adq8303
The amazing Bart de Boer is organizing a workshop at @evolangconf.bsky.social for exchanging techniques and ideas on how to use AI productively and correctly in language evolution research. Submissions are now open. Please spread the word! ai.vub.ac.be/~bart/AI_in_...
ai.vub.ac.be
November 16, 2025 at 9:30 PM
The amazing Bart de Boer is organizing a workshop at @evolangconf.bsky.social for exchanging techniques and ideas on how to use AI productively and correctly in language evolution research. Submissions are now open. Please spread the word! ai.vub.ac.be/~bart/AI_in_...
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
For decades, linguists assumed kids drive language change through ‘imperfect’ learning. New research by Raviv, Blasi & Kempe (Psychological Review) show that instead, adolescents and young adults are more likely to spread, normalize, and cement linguistic shifts. www.mpi.nl/news/young-c...
September 9, 2025 at 10:45 AM
For decades, linguists assumed kids drive language change through ‘imperfect’ learning. New research by Raviv, Blasi & Kempe (Psychological Review) show that instead, adolescents and young adults are more likely to spread, normalize, and cement linguistic shifts. www.mpi.nl/news/young-c...
September 9, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
💡 The idea that children drive language change is widely accepted — but does it hold up?
New research co-authored by Dr Vera Kempe challenges this view, showing little evidence that child-led innovations spread through communities.
Read more: www.mpi.nl/publications...
New research co-authored by Dr Vera Kempe challenges this view, showing little evidence that child-led innovations spread through communities.
Read more: www.mpi.nl/publications...
September 9, 2025 at 8:35 AM
💡 The idea that children drive language change is widely accepted — but does it hold up?
New research co-authored by Dr Vera Kempe challenges this view, showing little evidence that child-led innovations spread through communities.
Read more: www.mpi.nl/publications...
New research co-authored by Dr Vera Kempe challenges this view, showing little evidence that child-led innovations spread through communities.
Read more: www.mpi.nl/publications...
Super proud of this work and very grateful for all the amazing people who provided valuable feedback along the way @remivantrijp.bsky.social @sheinalew.bsky.social @cedricboeckx.bsky.social @inbalarnon.bsky.social ❤️❤️❤️🙏
Children are not the main agents of language change. New paper by @limorraviv.bsky.social @damianblasi.bsky.social & @vkempe.bsky.social.
psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/...
www.mpi.nl/publications...
psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/...
www.mpi.nl/publications...
September 9, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Super proud of this work and very grateful for all the amazing people who provided valuable feedback along the way @remivantrijp.bsky.social @sheinalew.bsky.social @cedricboeckx.bsky.social @inbalarnon.bsky.social ❤️❤️❤️🙏
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
The de-neonatizing of linguistics takes another step forward
Children are not the main agents of language change. New paper by @limorraviv.bsky.social @damianblasi.bsky.social & @vkempe.bsky.social.
psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/...
www.mpi.nl/publications...
psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/...
www.mpi.nl/publications...
September 9, 2025 at 7:48 AM
The de-neonatizing of linguistics takes another step forward
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
So rewarding to work with these two brilliant people to check whether the existing evidence supports the persistent claim that children's simplifying errors drive language change. It doesn't. psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?d...
@limorraviv.bsky.social @damianblasi.bsky.social
@limorraviv.bsky.social @damianblasi.bsky.social
September 9, 2025 at 8:00 AM
So rewarding to work with these two brilliant people to check whether the existing evidence supports the persistent claim that children's simplifying errors drive language change. It doesn't. psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?d...
@limorraviv.bsky.social @damianblasi.bsky.social
@limorraviv.bsky.social @damianblasi.bsky.social
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
Children are not the main agents of language change. New paper by @limorraviv.bsky.social @damianblasi.bsky.social & @vkempe.bsky.social.
psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/...
www.mpi.nl/publications...
psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/...
www.mpi.nl/publications...
September 9, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Children are not the main agents of language change. New paper by @limorraviv.bsky.social @damianblasi.bsky.social & @vkempe.bsky.social.
psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/...
www.mpi.nl/publications...
psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/...
www.mpi.nl/publications...
New paper with the brilliant @vkempe.bsky.social looking at potential age differences in the interpretation and conventionalization of a recently introduced semiotic system: emojis! 😍 Unlike popular belief, we see that young & older folks mostly agree on what face emojis mean (with some exceptions)!
No evidence for generational differences in the conventionalisation of face emojis. New paper by Kempe and @limorraviv.bsky.social.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ch...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ch...
Redirecting
doi.org
August 26, 2025 at 3:17 PM
New paper with the brilliant @vkempe.bsky.social looking at potential age differences in the interpretation and conventionalization of a recently introduced semiotic system: emojis! 😍 Unlike popular belief, we see that young & older folks mostly agree on what face emojis mean (with some exceptions)!
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
No evidence for generational differences in the conventionalisation of face emojis. New paper by Kempe and @limorraviv.bsky.social.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ch...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ch...
Redirecting
doi.org
August 26, 2025 at 12:41 PM
No evidence for generational differences in the conventionalisation of face emojis. New paper by Kempe and @limorraviv.bsky.social.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ch...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ch...
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
I'm teaching a grad seminar this Fall on the Cognitive Science of LLMs focusing on how they can act to stress test cognitive theories. If you have any readings that scream *yes this one!!* please send them my way!
August 19, 2025 at 2:39 AM
I'm teaching a grad seminar this Fall on the Cognitive Science of LLMs focusing on how they can act to stress test cognitive theories. If you have any readings that scream *yes this one!!* please send them my way!
Based on the thesis of my brilliant student Lucia from @ccniuofg.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social, we see that gendered language (Italian) can be a painful source of non affirmation for non binary people. We also make some suggestions for how to improve their experiences and create safer spaces 🙏
The inescapable cage of a man and a woman: Experiences of non-binary people with gender identity (non-)affirmation in the context of a gendered language.
New paper by Feketova and @limorraviv.bsky.social. doi.org/10.1080/2689....
New paper by Feketova and @limorraviv.bsky.social. doi.org/10.1080/2689....
The inescapable cage of a man and a woman: Experiences of non-binary people with gender identity (non-)affirmation in the context of a gendered language
Experiencing a lack of identity verification is an issue which most of the transgender community struggles with. Non-binary people’s daily struggle for affirmation may be even more difficult in a b...
doi.org
August 18, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Based on the thesis of my brilliant student Lucia from @ccniuofg.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social, we see that gendered language (Italian) can be a painful source of non affirmation for non binary people. We also make some suggestions for how to improve their experiences and create safer spaces 🙏
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
The inescapable cage of a man and a woman: Experiences of non-binary people with gender identity (non-)affirmation in the context of a gendered language.
New paper by Feketova and @limorraviv.bsky.social. doi.org/10.1080/2689....
New paper by Feketova and @limorraviv.bsky.social. doi.org/10.1080/2689....
The inescapable cage of a man and a woman: Experiences of non-binary people with gender identity (non-)affirmation in the context of a gendered language
Experiencing a lack of identity verification is an issue which most of the transgender community struggles with. Non-binary people’s daily struggle for affirmation may be even more difficult in a b...
doi.org
August 18, 2025 at 1:01 PM
The inescapable cage of a man and a woman: Experiences of non-binary people with gender identity (non-)affirmation in the context of a gendered language.
New paper by Feketova and @limorraviv.bsky.social. doi.org/10.1080/2689....
New paper by Feketova and @limorraviv.bsky.social. doi.org/10.1080/2689....
Reposted by Limor Raviv 🐘🤗🦒🍄🦄
Call for papers for Evolang 2026 is now posted! evolang2026.org. Workshop proposals due Sept 22nd. Paper submissions October 26th. Evolang is interdisciplinarity at its best. We hope to see you in Plovdiv!!
August 7, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Call for papers for Evolang 2026 is now posted! evolang2026.org. Workshop proposals due Sept 22nd. Paper submissions October 26th. Evolang is interdisciplinarity at its best. We hope to see you in Plovdiv!!