Ch 36: Modern Syntax Paradigms
A central tenant of math is the concept of syntax, the rules that govern mathematical systems, logic and computer programming systems. You can often find rules that apply to multiple systems, in which case the rule is generalized or the rule might only apply to one system, in which case it is a specialized rule. In the context of language, syntax can be seen as an extension of biology, since all of language and its constructs can be embodied in the human mind. This is where linguists like Noam Chomsky focus their efforts, the analysis of syntax as a means of understanding broader human behavior.
One of the developments that has occurred in the digital age is the birth of new languages that use technology as a conduit. If you have ever had to decipher a text message or an Instant Message, then you were trying to understand the meaning of new syntax that is evolving. The power of mathematics can help us formalize and decipher these new forms of communication and in the process, better understand how technology shapes the way we communicate with each other. To get started, go to UrbanDictionary.com, and vote up the word Numerati.
