Language Is Physical

Abstract

Some aspects of the physical nature of language are discussed. In particular, physical models of language must exist that are efficiently implementable. The existence requirement is essential because without physical models no communication or thinking would be possible. Efficient implementability for creating and reading language expressions is discussed and illustrated with a quantum mechanical model. The reason for interest in language is that language expressions can have meaning, either as an informal language or as a formal language associated with mathematical or physical theories. It is noted that any universally applicable physical theory, or coherent theory of physics and mathematics together, includes in its domain physical models of expressions for both the informal language used to discuss the theory and the expressions of the theory itself. It follows that there must be some formulas in the formal theory that express some of their own physical properties. The inclusion of intelligent systems in the domain of the theory means that the theory, e.g., quantum mechanics, must describe, in some sense, its own validation. Maps of language expressions into physical states are discussed. A spin projection example is discussed as are conditions under which such a map is a Gödel map. The possibility that language is also mathematical is very briefly discussed.

PACS: 03.67−a; 03.65.Ta; 03.67.Lx