Seán Roberts
@seangroberts.bsky.social
Seeker of strange correlations, digger of data, language evolver.
Video Game Dialogue Corpus: https://correlation-machine.com/VideoGameDialogueCorpus/
Lecturer in Linguistics at Cardiff University https://profiles.cardiff.ac.uk/staff/robertss55
Video Game Dialogue Corpus: https://correlation-machine.com/VideoGameDialogueCorpus/
Lecturer in Linguistics at Cardiff University https://profiles.cardiff.ac.uk/staff/robertss55
Liz Irvine and I once ran an experiment which went so wrong that I spent the next 10 years figuring out what had happened. Today we've published the explanation: a new theory for the evolution of symbolic signals (with Kateryna Krykoniuk & Fiona Jordan).
academic.oup.com/jole/article...
academic.oup.com/jole/article...
The arena of language evolution: the emergence of symbolic referential signals in a common task framework
Abstract. We present the common task framework approach to testing causal theories about the evolution of language. There are now many theories about how s
academic.oup.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Liz Irvine and I once ran an experiment which went so wrong that I spent the next 10 years figuring out what had happened. Today we've published the explanation: a new theory for the evolution of symbolic signals (with Kateryna Krykoniuk & Fiona Jordan).
academic.oup.com/jole/article...
academic.oup.com/jole/article...
Reposted by Seán Roberts
A new twist to the idea that future tense use affects decision making👇 Cole Robertson @seangroberts.bsky.social et al show it’s not future tense that drives psychological discounting but how people express the possibility of future events happening (modality). authors.elsevier.com/c/1m4gJ2Hx2-...
November 12, 2025 at 8:31 AM
A new twist to the idea that future tense use affects decision making👇 Cole Robertson @seangroberts.bsky.social et al show it’s not future tense that drives psychological discounting but how people express the possibility of future events happening (modality). authors.elsevier.com/c/1m4gJ2Hx2-...
A little late in the witching hour, but Space Ghost Train 12 is here. youtu.be/l0x2nfpeElc #SpaceGhostTrain
Space Ghost Train 12
YouTube video by SeanGeraintRoberts
youtu.be
October 31, 2025 at 10:01 PM
A little late in the witching hour, but Space Ghost Train 12 is here. youtu.be/l0x2nfpeElc #SpaceGhostTrain
Nearly a third of women who play mobile video games in the UK feel guilty about their hobby – new study with Steph Rennick. theconversation.com/nearly-a-thi...
Nearly a third of female gamers feel guilty about their hobby – new study
Almost 60% felt that they do not play enough games to consider themselves a ‘gamer’ and more than 30% would be embarrassed to call themselves one.
theconversation.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Nearly a third of women who play mobile video games in the UK feel guilty about their hobby – new study with Steph Rennick. theconversation.com/nearly-a-thi...
Reposted by Seán Roberts
“The gender-equality paradox entails that countries with more equality have larger gender differences in behavior. Positive associations between equality & gender differences disappear or reverse when accounting for cultural clusters of countries. The paradox appears to be a methodological artifact”
Simpson’s gender-equality paradox | PNAS
Several cross-country examinations have found larger gender differences in Western
countries. More recently, it has been argued, from an evolutiona...
www.pnas.org
June 11, 2025 at 5:33 AM
“The gender-equality paradox entails that countries with more equality have larger gender differences in behavior. Positive associations between equality & gender differences disappear or reverse when accounting for cultural clusters of countries. The paradox appears to be a methodological artifact”
I talked to @nhpr.org about the relationship between language and the environment! www.nhpr.org/environment/...
Outside/Inbox: Does the environment influence the evolution of a language?
"Most languages in the world are spoken by a small number of people in a relatively local place, and their language is probably really adapted to the kinds of things that they care about… and the way ...
www.nhpr.org
June 6, 2025 at 2:13 PM
I talked to @nhpr.org about the relationship between language and the environment! www.nhpr.org/environment/...
I got my copy of the Oxford Handbook of Approaches to Language Evolution! global.oup.com/academic/pro... It's amazing to see the investment that so many people have put into developing methods in our field! Kateryna Krykoniuk and I have a chapter on Causal Graphs in correlation-machine.com/CHIELD/
June 6, 2025 at 12:20 PM
I got my copy of the Oxford Handbook of Approaches to Language Evolution! global.oup.com/academic/pro... It's amazing to see the investment that so many people have put into developing methods in our field! Kateryna Krykoniuk and I have a chapter on Causal Graphs in correlation-machine.com/CHIELD/
Reposted by Seán Roberts
Delighted to announce the publication of a collaborative effort, co-led by @limorraviv.bsky.social @mpi-nl.bsky.social, showcasing the ways in which researchers have made language evolution an empirical issue: A handbook of experimental approaches to the fascinating problem of language evolution 🧪
May 27, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Delighted to announce the publication of a collaborative effort, co-led by @limorraviv.bsky.social @mpi-nl.bsky.social, showcasing the ways in which researchers have made language evolution an empirical issue: A handbook of experimental approaches to the fascinating problem of language evolution 🧪
Sad to hear that Mike Peters has passed, but a fitting tribute here “He lived as he sang — with passion, courage, and an unshakeable belief in the power of people to make a difference.” nation.cymru/feature/goin...
Going out in a blaze of glory - saying goodbye to Mike Peters
John Geraint “He lived as he sang — with passion, courage, and an unshakeable belief in the power of people to make a difference.” Those were the words of his widow Jules, as we bade to Mike farewell ...
nation.cymru
May 29, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Sad to hear that Mike Peters has passed, but a fitting tribute here “He lived as he sang — with passion, courage, and an unshakeable belief in the power of people to make a difference.” nation.cymru/feature/goin...
New book on the Interaction Engine by Steve Levinson, a fresh perspective on one of the most influential ideas in linguistics: www.cambridge.org/core/books/i...
The Interaction Engine
Cambridge Core - Evolution of Language - The Interaction Engine
www.cambridge.org
May 28, 2025 at 2:14 PM
New book on the Interaction Engine by Steve Levinson, a fresh perspective on one of the most influential ideas in linguistics: www.cambridge.org/core/books/i...
Reposted by Seán Roberts
It's here! Linguistic Insecurities and Authorities, published by @johnbenjamins.bsky.social, written by me!
May 12, 2025 at 9:17 AM
It's here! Linguistic Insecurities and Authorities, published by @johnbenjamins.bsky.social, written by me!
Reposted by Seán Roberts
Introducing my new project… Your Wrong (yourwrong.co.uk). It’s all about the language rules and judgements that appear in different forms of popular culture. Films, series, podcasts, music, books, even graffiti!
I’d love your help to find examples!
I’d love your help to find examples!
Your Wrong
yourwrong.co.uk
February 5, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Introducing my new project… Your Wrong (yourwrong.co.uk). It’s all about the language rules and judgements that appear in different forms of popular culture. Films, series, podcasts, music, books, even graffiti!
I’d love your help to find examples!
I’d love your help to find examples!
Reposted by Seán Roberts
JOB ALERT in #language and #linguistics!
Postdoc Position at the Center for Language Evolution Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland.
Job offer here: www.umk.pl/en/jobs/?tas...
We are now looking at a broader candidate pool so do consider applying!
Please repost & share widely!
Postdoc Position at the Center for Language Evolution Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland.
Job offer here: www.umk.pl/en/jobs/?tas...
We are now looking at a broader candidate pool so do consider applying!
Please repost & share widely!
March 8, 2025 at 4:04 PM
JOB ALERT in #language and #linguistics!
Postdoc Position at the Center for Language Evolution Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland.
Job offer here: www.umk.pl/en/jobs/?tas...
We are now looking at a broader candidate pool so do consider applying!
Please repost & share widely!
Postdoc Position at the Center for Language Evolution Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland.
Job offer here: www.umk.pl/en/jobs/?tas...
We are now looking at a broader candidate pool so do consider applying!
Please repost & share widely!
Reposted by Seán Roberts
Two more weeks to apply for this Post-Doc position in my project "Paths to Polysemy: Integrating Approaches to the Role of Polysemy in the Evolutionary Dynamics of Language.” Please share and dm me if you have any questions!
euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/316751
euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/316751
February 17, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Two more weeks to apply for this Post-Doc position in my project "Paths to Polysemy: Integrating Approaches to the Role of Polysemy in the Evolutionary Dynamics of Language.” Please share and dm me if you have any questions!
euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/316751
euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/316751
I made a tool to add Balatro-style mechanics to D&D. Ever wanted to roll a billion points of damage? Now you can! Feedback welcome.
correlation-machine.com/DnDPowerCards/
correlation-machine.com/DnDPowerCards/
February 9, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I made a tool to add Balatro-style mechanics to D&D. Ever wanted to roll a billion points of damage? Now you can! Feedback welcome.
correlation-machine.com/DnDPowerCards/
correlation-machine.com/DnDPowerCards/
Reposted by Seán Roberts
A thread explaining our new discovery about humpback whale song published today in Science... We found key statistical properties that characterise all human languages in another species for the first time. We have more in common with whales than we previously thought! doi.org/10.1126/scie...
February 7, 2025 at 11:48 AM
A thread explaining our new discovery about humpback whale song published today in Science... We found key statistical properties that characterise all human languages in another species for the first time. We have more in common with whales than we previously thought! doi.org/10.1126/scie...
Reposted by Seán Roberts
This episode mentions GISST, which is basically a way to "quote" a video game - almost like a save state: gisst.pomona.edu
Yes, you can emulate or watch on youtube, but being able to legally (under fair use, hopefully) share a playable segment of a game seems revolutionary for education & academia.
Yes, you can emulate or watch on youtube, but being able to legally (under fair use, hopefully) share a playable segment of a game seems revolutionary for education & academia.
Our latest Video Game History Hour podcast talks to The Strong's director of digital preservation Andrew Borman: gamehistory.org/episode-122-... (Reminder: Patreon subscribers - www.patreon.com/gamehistoryorg - get access a day early, and bonus episodes too!)
Episode 122: Save the Games Recap | Video Game History Foundation
We’re joined by Director of Digital Preservation at The Strong National Museum of Play Andrew Borman to recap the events of the first ever Save the Games Symposium put on by the museum in August 2024,...
gamehistory.org
January 13, 2025 at 4:01 AM
This episode mentions GISST, which is basically a way to "quote" a video game - almost like a save state: gisst.pomona.edu
Yes, you can emulate or watch on youtube, but being able to legally (under fair use, hopefully) share a playable segment of a game seems revolutionary for education & academia.
Yes, you can emulate or watch on youtube, but being able to legally (under fair use, hopefully) share a playable segment of a game seems revolutionary for education & academia.
Reposted by Seán Roberts
‘From Birds to Words: Onomatopoeia, Metaphor, and the Language of Birdsong’
Please join us for the inaugural lecture of Professor
@bodowinter.bsky.social on Friday 21 February 2025 (16:00-17:00) in the Alan Walters Building, University of Birmingham.
Please join us for the inaugural lecture of Professor
@bodowinter.bsky.social on Friday 21 February 2025 (16:00-17:00) in the Alan Walters Building, University of Birmingham.
From Birds to Words: Onomatopoeia, Metaphor, and the Language of Birdsong
From Birds to Words: Onomatopoeia, Metaphor, and the Language of Birdsong - Professor Bodo Winter's Inaugural Lecture
www.birmingham.ac.uk
January 10, 2025 at 12:53 PM
‘From Birds to Words: Onomatopoeia, Metaphor, and the Language of Birdsong’
Please join us for the inaugural lecture of Professor
@bodowinter.bsky.social on Friday 21 February 2025 (16:00-17:00) in the Alan Walters Building, University of Birmingham.
Please join us for the inaugural lecture of Professor
@bodowinter.bsky.social on Friday 21 February 2025 (16:00-17:00) in the Alan Walters Building, University of Birmingham.
Reposted by Seán Roberts
Cedric Boeckx @cedricboeckx.bsky.social discusses the biology of human language at #AbralinAoVivo! Learn how genes like FOXP2, brain circuits, and evolution influence our ability for syntax and communication. Watch here:
▶️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E-X...
#langsky #linguistics
▶️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E-X...
#langsky #linguistics
Cedric Boeckx
YouTube video by Abralin
www.youtube.com
January 11, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Cedric Boeckx @cedricboeckx.bsky.social discusses the biology of human language at #AbralinAoVivo! Learn how genes like FOXP2, brain circuits, and evolution influence our ability for syntax and communication. Watch here:
▶️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E-X...
#langsky #linguistics
▶️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E-X...
#langsky #linguistics
Reposted by Seán Roberts
I agreed to do this in part because I'd get a chance to underline that if we judge people for their accents, we're stereotyping them... #linguistics The Traitors: how trustworthy is a Welsh accent? A sociolinguist explains theconversation.com/the-traitors...
The Traitors: how trustworthy is a Welsh accent? A sociolinguist explains
The Traitors contestant Charlotte has lived in London her whole life but has adopted a Welsh accent to appear more trustworthy. Is this a reliable strategy though?
theconversation.com
January 9, 2025 at 6:04 PM
I agreed to do this in part because I'd get a chance to underline that if we judge people for their accents, we're stereotyping them... #linguistics The Traitors: how trustworthy is a Welsh accent? A sociolinguist explains theconversation.com/the-traitors...
Today I went walking on the Black Mountains, high above a huge fog bank. I saw a fog bow and cast a Brocken spectre with a glory halo. Who knew such things existed?
December 28, 2024 at 6:11 PM
Today I went walking on the Black Mountains, high above a huge fog bank. I saw a fog bow and cast a Brocken spectre with a glory halo. Who knew such things existed?
Reposted by Seán Roberts
A blog post not to be missed! 🎮 Find out why self confessed nerd, Robert Houghton, decided to write his new book, The Middle Ages in Computer Games, in our latest author blog post. Read the blog > https://buff.ly/4fZMqHR @robehoughton.bsky.social
December 5, 2024 at 2:56 PM
A blog post not to be missed! 🎮 Find out why self confessed nerd, Robert Houghton, decided to write his new book, The Middle Ages in Computer Games, in our latest author blog post. Read the blog > https://buff.ly/4fZMqHR @robehoughton.bsky.social
Reposted by Seán Roberts
Theorist bridge trolls barking at you to formally connect theory to data? Wondering how, without troll magic? We can help! "Bridging theory and data: A computational workflow for cultural evolution" With @dominikdeffner.bsky.social @natyfedorova.bsky.social Jeff Andrews. www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
November 19, 2024 at 7:59 AM
Theorist bridge trolls barking at you to formally connect theory to data? Wondering how, without troll magic? We can help! "Bridging theory and data: A computational workflow for cultural evolution" With @dominikdeffner.bsky.social @natyfedorova.bsky.social Jeff Andrews. www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Seán Roberts
Oh hey, looks like titledrops.net made it (almost) to the top of Hacker News!
If you haven't checked it out, now'd be a good time to know what everyone's talking about 😜
news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4205...
#dataviz #movies
If you haven't checked it out, now'd be a good time to know what everyone's talking about 😜
news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4205...
#dataviz #movies
November 6, 2024 at 12:16 PM
Oh hey, looks like titledrops.net made it (almost) to the top of Hacker News!
If you haven't checked it out, now'd be a good time to know what everyone's talking about 😜
news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4205...
#dataviz #movies
If you haven't checked it out, now'd be a good time to know what everyone's talking about 😜
news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4205...
#dataviz #movies
Coverage of our short story competition! nation.cymru/feature/auth...
Authors and academics join forces to reimagine the past and future of language in Wales
Seán Roberts, Hannah Little, Kateryna Krykoniuk, Cardiff University What shapes a language’s story? 60 years after Saunders Lewis warned of the death of the Welsh language, its story is more hopeful. ...
nation.cymru
November 1, 2024 at 11:27 AM
Coverage of our short story competition! nation.cymru/feature/auth...