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Semantic Grammar: A Technique for Constructing Natural Language Interfaces to Instructional Systems.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Semantic Grammar: A Technique for Constructing Natural Language Interfaces to Instructional Systems.
Authors: Burton, Richard R., Brown, John Seely, Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Inc., Cambridge, MA.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 118
Publication Date: 1977
Sponsoring Agency: Advanced Research Projects Agency (DOD), Washington, DC.
Document Type: Reports - Research
Descriptors: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Assisted Instruction, Computer Programs, Educational Environment, Grammar, Information Processing, Instructional Systems, Logical Thinking, Man Machine Systems, Programing Languages, Semantics
Abstract: A major obstacle to the effective educational use of computers is the lack of a natural means of communication between the student and the computer. This report describes a technique for generating such natural language front-ends for advanced instructional systems. It discusses: (1) the essential properties of a natural language front-end, (2) some prior systems having some of the desired capabilities, and (3) the technical details underlying "semantic grammars." This last notion is introduced as a paradigm for organizing the knowledge required to understand language which permits efficient parsing. In semantic grammar, non-terminal categories are formed on conceptual rather than syntactic bases. This allows semantic knowledge to be integrated into the parsing process whenever it is beneficial. The ability of Augmented Transition Networks (ATN)-based semantic grammars to perform satisfactorily in an educational environment is demonstrated in the natural language front-end for the SOPHIE system. Appendices describe SOPHIE semantic grammar in two formalisms (ATN and BTN). (Author/DAG)
Entry Date: 1977
Accession Number: ED142240
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:A major obstacle to the effective educational use of computers is the lack of a natural means of communication between the student and the computer. This report describes a technique for generating such natural language front-ends for advanced instructional systems. It discusses: (1) the essential properties of a natural language front-end, (2) some prior systems having some of the desired capabilities, and (3) the technical details underlying "semantic grammars." This last notion is introduced as a paradigm for organizing the knowledge required to understand language which permits efficient parsing. In semantic grammar, non-terminal categories are formed on conceptual rather than syntactic bases. This allows semantic knowledge to be integrated into the parsing process whenever it is beneficial. The ability of Augmented Transition Networks (ATN)-based semantic grammars to perform satisfactorily in an educational environment is demonstrated in the natural language front-end for the SOPHIE system. Appendices describe SOPHIE semantic grammar in two formalisms (ATN and BTN). (Author/DAG)