On coordination reduction and sentence analysis

ABSTRACT

A class of coordination phenomena in natural languages is considered within the framework of transformational theory. To account for these phenomena it is proposed that certain machinery be added to the syntactic component of a transformational grammar. This machinery includes certain rule schemata, the conditions under which they are to be applied, and conditions determining the sequence of subtrees on which they are to be performed. A solution to the syntactic analysis problem for this class of grammars is outlined. Precise specification of both the generative procedure of this paper and its inverse is given in the form of LISP function definitions.

REFERENCES

• 1: GROSS, L. N. A transformational rule testing program. Unpublished manuscript.
• 2: Londe, D. L., AND SCHOENE, W. J. TGT: transformational grammar tester. Proc. AFIPS 1968 Spring Joint Comput. Cong., Vol. 32, Thompson Book Co., Washington, D. C. pp. 385-393.
• 3: GROSS, L. N., AND WALKER, D.E. On-line computer aids for research in linguistics. Proc. IFIP Congress Edinburgh, Aug. 1968.
• 4: Joyce Friedman , Robert W. Doran, A formal syntax for transformational grammar, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 1968
• 5: PETRICK, S.R. A recognition procedure for transformational grammars. Ph.D. Th. MIT, Cambridge, Mass. 1965.
• 6: KEYSER, S . J ., AND PETRICK, S . R . Syntactic analysis. In The Structure and Psychology of Language, T. Bever and W. Weksel (Eds.), Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York (In press).

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  J. Computer Applications
  J.5 ARTS AND HUMANITIES
      Subjects: Linguistics

Additional Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Languages, Theory

Keywords:
coordination, coordination reduction, generative grammar, grammar testing program, natural languages, rule testing, sentence coordination, syntactic analysis, syntax, transformational theory