Anchoring a Lexicalized Tree-Adjoining Grammar for Discourse

We here explore a "fully" lexicalized Tree-Adjoining Grammar for discourse that takes the basic elements of a (monologic) discourse to be not simply clauses, but larger structures that are anchored on variously realized discourse cues. This link with intra-sentential grammar suggests an account for different patterns of discourse cues, while the different structures and operations suggest three separate sources for elements of discourse meaning: (1) a compositional semantics tied to the basic trees and operations; (2) a presuppositional semantics carried by cue phrases that freely adjoin to trees; and (3) general inference, that draws additional, defeasible conclusions that flesh out what is conveyed compositionally.

• Type: Journal
• Year: 1998
• Where: CORR
• Authors: Bonnie L. Webber, Aravind K. Joshi
• Keywords: Basic Elements, CORR 1998, Discourse, Discourse Cues, Education