A wave model implementation

Abstract

AbstractThe computational wave model approach in the form of an agent-based model (ABM) is introduced in this chapter by outlining how such ABM simulations can model gradual diversifications of speech communities. Further, the model and the underlying computational concepts are explained in detail. The model results are presented, highlighting the large variety of ways in which ABMs can be examined. The main findings include that, as suggested by the earlier phylogenetic approach, it is indeed the case that East and West Germanic cannot be seen as abrupt splits, but rather that each region gradually diversifies from the core area. Specifically, the East Germanic languages diversify isochronically in the eastern part of the Germanic-speaking area, maintaining the same linguistic distance from one another as they do to the rest of the area, suggesting that they do not form a common protolanguage.