Here's my conversation with Edward Gibson (@LanguageMIT), a linguist and psychologist at MIT, heading the MIT Language Lab. We talk all about the human language: syntax, grammar, structure, theories of language, evolution of language, how it reflects culture, and of course LLMs, both their amazing power and their limitations. It's here on X in full, and is up on YouTube, Spotify, and everywhere else. Links in comment. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:13 - Human language 5:19 - Generalizations in language 11:06 - Dependency grammar 21:05 - Morphology 29:40 - Evolution of languages 33:00 - Noam Chomsky 1:17:06 - Thinking and language 1:30:36 - LLMs 1:43:35 - Center embedding 2:10:02 - Learning a new language 2:13:54 - Nature vs nurture 2:20:30 - Culture and language 2:34:58 - Universal language 2:39:21 - Language translation 2:42:36 - Animal communication
@elonmusk @lexfridman @LanguageMIT AI written obituary…
@elonmusk @lexfridman @LanguageMIT Language is so much more than words Sometimes we don't even need words. Words are only as truthful as the lips they fall from. Dance can be just a series of steps put together but the body, mind & emotion of the person is the orchestra that transforms notes into music.
@elonmusk @lexfridman @LanguageMIT Thank you. It is very fascinating and informative.