语言的词汇量越大，语法就越简单，如汉语、英语；词汇量越少，语法就越复杂。
The larger the vocabulary of a language, the simpler the syntax, such as chinese or english; the fewer words there are, the more complicated the grammar.
心理学家认为，这种悖论和使用该语言的人口数量有关。举例而言，以普通话为母语的人非常多，而英语则是全世界最普遍的第二语言，这两种语言的语法都比较简单；相较而言，波里尼西亚语的使用范围极小，而语法规则却非常复杂。
Psychologists believe that this paradox has to do with the number of people who use the language. The number of native speakers, for example, is very high, while english is the most common second language in the world. both languages are relatively simple in syntax. in comparison, the use of Polynesia is minimal, the rules of grammar are very complex.
为了解释这种现象，研究人员将语言创新分为两类：容易学习的创新(只需听几遍就能理解含义的新词汇)、难以学习的创新(需要多次重复才能完全理解的语法规则)。复杂的语法模式需要多次重复才能巩固。重复不足时，复杂的模式容易消失，而简单易学的模式更容易保留。随着语言使用人口越来越多，难以学习的语言习惯会减少，而容易学习的语言习惯则会增加。
To explain this phenomenon, the researchers divided language innovation into two categories: easy-to-learn innovations (new words that can be understood by listening only a few times) and innovations that are difficult to learn (grammatical rules that require multiple repetitions to fully understand) . Complex grammatical patterns need to be repeated multiple times to be consolidated. Complex patterns tend to disappear when repetitions are inadequate, while easy-to-learn models are easier to retain. As more and more people use the language, the language habits that are difficult to learn decrease, and the language habits that are easy to learn increase.
接下来，研究人员设计了一个实验，来验证他们的假说。他们模拟了一个彼此交流的语言团体，模仿现实生活中的手机网络互动。每个人都有一些语言习惯(或简单、或难学)，他们可以彼此进行交流。当两人相遇时，他们可以使用已有的语言习惯，也可以自创新的语言习惯。
Next, the researchers designed an experiment to test their hypothesis. They simulated a language group that communicated with each other, mimicking real life mobile web interactions. Everyone has some language habits (or simple or difficult to learn) and they can communicate with each other. When two people meet, they can use the language habits they already have, or they can create their own language habits.
控制变量是语言团体的人数。研究人员对多个不同人数的语言团体进行模拟，结果证实了他们的猜测：在人数较少的语言团体中，较复杂的语言习惯保留了下来；而在人数较多的语言团体中，较简单的语言习惯保留了下来。
The control variable is the number of people in a language group. The researchers'simulations of language groups of different numbers confirmed their guess that more complex language habits were retained in fewer language groups, while in a larger number of language groups, the study found, simpler language habits have been preserved.
研究人员认为，随着世界的联系越来越紧密，语言以及大部分文化层面都会变得越来越简单。但这并不意味着，所有文化都会变得过分简单，也许只有主流部分才会逐渐降低复杂程度。
The researchers believe that as the world becomes more connected, language and much of the culture becomes simpler and easier. But that doesn't mean that all cultures will become too simplistic, and perhaps only the mainstream will gradually reduce the complexity.
研究人员可能说对了。你们想想，现在兴起的流行音乐类型是什么？是电子乐。简单的乐曲、重复的电音吸引了众多粉丝，且粉丝量还在日益增长。不过，复杂文化也不是毫无胜算。人们可以自行组织小众文化团体，以对抗简单化的趋势。
The researchers may be right about that. Think about it. what is the emerging genre of pop music? It's electronic. it's electronic. Simple music, repetitive electricity, and a growing fan base are attracting fans. However, complex cultures are not unwinnable. People can organize their own small-scale cultural groups to counter the tendency to simplify.