When language breaks into pieces: A conflict between communication through isolated signals and language

Here we study a communication model where signals associate to stimuli. The model assumes that signals follow Zipf’s law and the exponent of the law depends on a balance between maximizing the information transfer and saving cost the cost of communication. We study the effect of tuning that balance on the structure of signal-stimulus associations. The model starts from two recent results. First, the exponent grows as the weight of information transfer increases. Second, a rudimentary form of language is obtained when the network of signal-stimulus associations is almost connected. Here we show the existence of a sudden destruction of language once a critical balance is crossed. The model shows that maximizing the information transfer through isolated signals and language are in conflict. The model proposes a strong reason for not finding large exponents in complex communication systems: language is in danger. Besides, the findings suggests that human words may need to be ambiguous to keep language alive. Interestingly, the model predicts that large exponents should be associated to decreased synaptic density. It is not surprising that the largest exponents correspond to schizophrenic patients since, according to the spirit of Feinberg’s hypothesis, decreased synaptic density leads to schizophrenia. Our findings suggests that the exponent of Zipf’s law is intimately related to language and that it could be used to detect anomalous structure and organization of the brain.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version