What Is Language Complexity?

Abstract

： On the basis of complex system theory and the frontier researches of Chinese and foreign linguistics in this field, this paper systematically discusses the conceptual connotation of language complexity, and generalizes the essential characteristics in quality and quantity, which is non-linearity and high organizational depth. The non-linearity is mainly manifested as imbalance, emergence and interactivity, while the high organizational depth as multi-level, multi-dimension, multi-stage, high cardinality, etc. Generally speaking, the more complex the information is, the longer the minimum description length (MDL) of it is, and the higher resource/cost consumption is. In the relation of unity of opposites between complexity and simplicity, language complexity is absolute, while simplicity is relative. Complexity is always in dominance, while simplicity always serves as a lever to balance, control and regulate complexity. They are developing nonlinear adaptive interactions, which leads to the formation and development of linguistic paradigm system (such as grammatical paradigm and rhetorical paradigm). The conclusion provides a theoretical basis for the study of language complexity.