Why human language differs from computer code

Why human language differs from computer code
- February 21, 2026
- Richard Futrell, language science, Mirage News, Feb. 21, 2026
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Human language is remarkably rich and intricate. Yet from the standpoint of information theory, the same ideas could theoretically be transmitted in a far more compressed format. That raises an intriguing question: why do people not communicate in a digital system of ones and zeros like computers do? Michael Hahn, a linguist based in Saarbrücken, set out to answer that question with Richard Futrell from the University of California, Irvine.
For the full story, please visit https://www.miragenews.com/why-human-language-differs-from-computer-code-1623859/.
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