I do these for fun, but you can look
Python
Simulation
Linguistics
Language Evolution Simulator
A very early prototype of a simulator intended to use community dynamics to model language usage and evolution. Language historians / historical linguists have lots of theories about how language particularly changes over time, but without a time machine our "observational" data is limited to what happened to be written down. That's limiting for like, a number of reasons that you probably don't need me to list. But I was thinking, if we could simulate language communities, maybe we could see whether parameters these theories propose produce the results they intend to? It's the next best thing! Currently has support for simple toy languages with ~200 words, some basic phonotactic constraints, and word borrowing. Watch a new world of languages unfold before your eyes...
Python
Flask
AI/LLM
Accessibility
Computational Linguistics
AI-AAC
This one wasn't for fun as much as for jumping on a brilliant idea thought up by my friend Liz when we were at the Humans and AI Hackathon 2025 in Bellevue. Built with Elizabeth Weber (bioengineer & accessibility specialist) and Meeta Pandit (data engineer). A Flask web app that helps generate contextual vocabulary and sentences for AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) users. Uses LLMs for intelligent vocabulary generation, with optional image based context analysis, and a drag-and-drop sentence builder, with AI giving options so you can pick the nuanced meaning you meant to say. Combines my linguistics background with Liz's bioengineering and accessibility expertise and Meeta's data engineering skills for a truly interdisciplinary project!
Update: I competed in another hackathon (this time hosted by B.E.L.L.E. and TestSprite), updating this project further to add proper tablet support and better sentence generation, among other things, and won 2nd place!
JavaScript
Physics
WebGL
Interactive n-body gravity simulation
Built this Newtonian physics simulator as a short hackathon project! Features real-time physics, better controls, and some visual effects. A complete rewrite that's much more polished than my earlier attempt. No relativity or quantum mechanics yet, sorry!
Python
NLP
Data Analysis
Sentiment analysis by etymological origin
Ever wondered about the lasting impacts of 11th century English socioeconomic conditions on how people complain about superhero movies? I have! More soon, but here's a sneak peak:
Game Design
TTRPG
Ever wished you could sit down with your friends and write a new episode of Seinfeld?
If you're Larry David that might be easy, but I tried to make it into a game, TTRPG style.
JavaScript
Game Logic
Funky Chess
Chess is all great and all, but the rules haven't changed much in hundreds of years. Boring. In Funky Chess, the rules change every game! In truth this app exists because I was tired of losing at Chess to memorized tactics. Make your opponent think up some new ones for a change!
I wrote some things
Samuel Lederer
slederer@pm.me | Seattle, WA 98105
Research Interests
- Computational, community-based models of language evolution and diffusion
- Interactions between social structure and grammatical, lexical, and phonological emergence
- Modeling of psycholinguistic principles of language production
Skills
Languages: English (native), Mandarin Chinese (professional proficiency)
Languages (Fieldwork): Najdi Arabic
Programming: Python (advanced), R (intermediate), JavaScript (intermediate), SQL (intermediate)
Other tools: Praat, LaTeX, Audacity
Education
B.A. in Linguistics | 2018-2023
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Linguistic Society of America Institute | 2023
Amherst, MA
- Historical/Contact Creole Linguistics (Enoch Aboh)
- PCIbex Training
- Linguistic foundations of Computer Science
Post-baccalaureate | July 2025-Aug 2026
University of Northern Iowa
Coursework detailed at end of document
Research Experience
Cellular automata-based simulation of contact-induced language change | Late 2024-Present
Independent Research Project
- Developed a cellular automata model of language diffusion and change modeled at the community level with interactive grammar, vocabulary and contact visualizations, which serves to test whether the predictions of theoretical parameters
- Modeled both internally driven mechanisms (phonological and grammatical innovation) and externally driven mechanisms (borrowing, L1 influence during language shift), revising on results for linguistic plausibility and to match different theories about language change, particularly those of Dr. Enoch Aboh
- Simulated repair strategies whereby borrowed or retained lexical items are reanalyzed to conform to evolving phonological constraints
Research Assistant | 2020-2023
Grammar and Processing Lab, UMass Amherst
- Supported experimental and computational research on psycholinguistic theories of language production and the internal processes posited to be involved
- Prepared data frameworks for collection of participant data
- Annotated and computationally analyzed participant data to pass up to primary researchers
- Engaged with formal analyses of syntax and phonology in lab research contexts
Research Assistant | Summer 2021
Center for the Study of African American Language, UMass Amherst
- Assisted with speech data organization and entry for African American English varieties
Etymology and Sentiment | 2025
Project for Blog
- Tracked word occurrences in positive and negative reviews of movies, TV shows, and Amazon products
- Mapped positive and negative occurrences over words' etymological origins, showing enduring effects of sociolinguistic conditions in the ancient, medieval, and modern world
Service
Teaching Assistant (UMass Amherst) | 2022, 2023
LING 101: Introduction to Linguistics
Guest Lecture (UMass Amherst) | 2022
LING 101: Introduction to Linguistics
- Invited by instructor (Dr. Rajesh Bhatt) to deliver multiple lectures on Chinese dialectology and sociolinguistics to introductory undergrad audience
Linguistics Department Librarian and Administrative Assistant | Aug 2021 – May 2023
UMass Amherst Linguistics Department
- Cataloged and reorganized collection of over 5,000 books into a searchable library
- Compiled large-scale corpus of bibliography files for academic research
Professional Experience
Linguistic Data Annotation and Consultation | 2023-Present
Contract Work
- Data annotation and data annotation pipeline design
- Consulting methods for theoretical adherence
Instructor (Brightmont Academy, Seattle) | 2025-Present
- Teaching and tutoring Pre-calculus, AP Physics 1 and 2, and AP Computer Science
Chess Instructor (Orangutan Chess Academy, Seattle) | 2025-Present
Coursework
UMass Amherst (Undergraduate level)
- CS121: Introduction to Problem Solving with Computers; LING 409: Introduction to Computational Linguistics (formerly LING 509); LING 492B: Computational Linguistics: Use and Meaning
- LING 401: Introduction to Syntax; LING 510: Introduction to Semantics; LING 402: Speech Sounds and Structure (Phonology); LING 414: Introduction to Phonetics for Linguists
- LING 413: Language Variation and Social Context
- LING 412: Language and the Brain
UMass Amherst (Graduate level)
- CHIN 575: Syntactic Structure of Chinese; CHIN 577: Chinese Dialectology
- LING 601: Introduction to Transformational Grammar; LING 604: Syntactic Theory
- LING 592T: Tone and Intonation; LING 603: Generative Phonology; LING 606: Phonological Theory
University of Northern Iowa (Post-baccalaureate)
- CS1520: Data Structures and Algorithms