Syntax, Parsing and Production of Natural Language in a Framework of Information Compression by Multiple Alignment, Unification

This article introduces the idea that information compression by multiple alignment, unification and search (ICMAUS) provides a framework within which natural language syntax may be represented in a simple format and the parsing and production of natural language may be performed in a transparent manner. In this context, multiple alignment has a meaning which is similar to its meaning in bio-informatics but with significant differences, while unification means a simple merging of matching patterns, a meaning which is related to but simpler than the meaning of that term in logic. The concept of search in the present context means search for alignments which are `good' in terms of information compression, using heuristic methods or arbitrary constraints (or both) to restrict the size of the search space.

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2000
• Where: JUCS
• Authors: J. Gerard Wolff
• Keywords: JUCS 2000, Multiple Alignment, Natural Language, Natural Language Syntax