Convergence is an oft-used notion in contact linguistics and historical linguistics. Yet it is problematic as an explanatory account for the changes it represents. In this study, we model one specific case of convergence (Duoxu, an endangered Tibeto-Burman language with 9 remaining speakers) to contribute to a more systematic understanding of the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. The goals are (1) to address the role of some linguistic and social factors assumed to have an effect on the process of convergence, and (2) to test the following explanations of empirical observations related to phonological convergence: (a) the loss of phonological segments in a language that has undergone convergence is correlated with the relative frequency and markedness of these segments in the combined bilingual repertoire, and (b) widespread bilingualism is a prerequisite for convergence. The results of our agent-based simulation affirm the importance of frequency and markedness of phonological segments in the process of convergence. At the same time, they suggest that the explanation related to widespread bilingualism may not be valid. Our study suggests computer simulations as a promising tool for investigation of complex cases of language change in contact settings.

融合是接触语言学和历史语言学中经常使用的概念。然而，作为对其所代表的变化的解释性说明，这是有问题的。在本研究中，我们对一个特定的趋同案例进行建模（多旭，一种濒临灭绝的藏缅语，剩余9名说话者），有助于更系统地理解这一现象的潜在机制。目标是（1）解决假定对融合过程产生影响的某些语言和社会因素的作用，以及（2）测试以下与语音融合有关的经验性观察解释：经过融合的语言中的语音片段与组合的双语曲目中这些片段的相对频率和标记性相关，（b）广泛使用双语是融合的先决条件。我们基于智能体的仿真结果证实了语音过程中音节的频率和标记在融合过程中的重要性。同时，他们认为与广泛的双语制有关的解释可能无效。我们的研究表明，计算机模拟是一种用于调查联系人设置中语言变化的复杂情况的有前途的工具。