Poligén

Poligén is a term that can refer to a few different concepts, primarily in the context of genetics and language. In genetics, a poligén is a gene that contributes to a polygenic trait, meaning a trait that is influenced by multiple genes. These traits, such as height, skin color, or susceptibility to certain diseases, are not determined by a single gene but by the cumulative effect of many genes, each with a small individual contribution. The interaction between these genes, along with environmental factors, shapes the final phenotype.

In linguistics, the term "poligen" (often used interchangeably with polygenesis) refers to the theory that a particular language or dialect arose from multiple independent sources or parent languages, rather than from a single ancestor. This contrasts with monogenesis, where a language is believed to have evolved from a single source. The concept of polygenesis has been applied to discussions about the origins of creole languages, where it is suggested they may have formed from the interaction of several languages. It can also be used more broadly to describe phenomena where similar developments occur independently in different places.