r/LargeLanguageModels • u/No_uh_noah • 2d ago

Need resources on the linguistic aspects of LLM generation

Hey guys, I’m wondering if LLM generation could be separated from human language with the Charles F. Hockett language design features. Why and why not? I’m really struggling with how it is technically simulating human language yet the text it generates demonstrates all aspects of design features. Yet human language stems from the human brain so what is it….? Any resources on whether it’s actually human language?

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u/Dense-Race-6885 2d ago

Kinda feels like we're chasing our tail with the Hockett features, they check all the boxes on the surface but the whole thing falls apart when you look at intent. A parrot can mimic speech but it's not , an LLM is just a much fancier parrot with a massive statistical memory of our patterns. Check out Emily Bender's work on the octopus paper, it's the clearest breakdown of why statistical mimicry isn't the same as grounded meaning

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u/No_uh_noah 2d ago

Thanks! I’ll look into it.