OVERGENERALIZATION OF VERBS - THE CHANGE OF THE GERMAN VERB SYSTEM

In this paper we want to show, that the change of the German verb system from Middle High German to New High German can be simulated and explained by an adoption of the Iterated Learning Model. We claim, that the change of the German verb system is due to the frequency of usage and the process of overgeneralization. This is the first application of an Iterated Learning Model simulating the change of “real” German language, so we can also prove the quality of the Iterated Learning Model as an explanatory model for language change.