Knowledge Representation and the Semantics of Natural Language (Cognitive Technologies)
The book presents an interdisciplinary approach to knowledge
representation and the treatment of semantic phenomena of natural
language, which is positioned between artificial intelligence,
computational linguistics, and cognitive psychology. The proposed
method is based on Multilayered Extended Semantic Networks (MultiNets),
which can be used for theoretical investigations into the semantics of
natural language, for cognitive modeling, for describing lexical
entries in a computational lexicon, and for natural language processing
(NLP). Part I deals with fundamental problems of semantic knowledge
representation and semantic interpretation of natural language
phenomena. Part II provides a systematic description of the
representational means of MultiNet, one of the most comprehensive and
thoroughly specified collections of relations and functions used in
real NLP applications. MultiNet is embedded into a system of software
tools comprising a workbench for the knowledge engineer, a semantic
interpreter translating natural language expressions into formal
meaning structures, and a workbench for the computer lexicographer. The
book has been used for courses in artificial intelligence at several
universities and is one of the cornerstones for teaching computational
linguistics in a virtual electronic laboratory.
For the past forty years, linguistics has been dominated by the idea that language is categorical and linguistic competence discrete. It has become increasingly clear, however, that many levels of representation, from phonemes to sentence structure, show probabilistic properties, as does the language faculty. Probabilistic linguistics conceptualizes categories as distributions and views knowledge of language not as a minimal set of categorical constraints but as a set of gradient rules that may be characterized by a statistical distribution. Whereas categorical approaches focus on the endpoints of distributions of linguistic phenomena, probabilistic approaches focus on the gradient middle ground. Probabilistic linguistics integrates all the progress made by linguistics thus far with a probabilistic perspective. This book presents a comprehensive introduction to probabilistic approaches to linguistic inquiry. It covers the application of probabilistic techniques to phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax, language acquisition, psycholinguistics, historical linguistics, and sociolinguistics. It also includes a tutorial on elementary probability theory and probabilistic grammars.
The Routledge History of Literature in English - Britain and Ireland
This new guide to the main developments in the history of
British and Irish Literature uniquely charts some of the main features of
literary language development and highlights key language topics. Clearly
structured and highly readable, unlike traditional histories of literature it
spans over a thousand years of literary history from AD 600 to the present day.
It emphasises the growth of literary writing, its traditions, conventions and
changing characteristics, and includes literature from the margins, both
geographical and cultural.
Key features of the book are:
* an up-to-date guide to the major periods of literature in English in Britain
and Ireland
* extensive coverage of post-1945 literature
* language notes spanning AD 600 to the present
* extensive quotations from poetry, prose and drama
* a timeline of the important historical and political events
This will be essential reading for all students of English literature and
language.
Theory of Mind and Language in Developmental Contexts
How we think and speak is a reflection of our shared cultural and
socioeconomic backgrounds. Theory of Mind and Language in Different
Developmental Contexts blazes new trails in the study of the
relationship between the theory of mind—that is, the ability to
attribute mental states as the basis of behavior and social
interaction—and language.
This volume examines the linguistic variables within developmental contexts, including:
- Different levels of analysis.
- Intercultural differences (e.g., Western, non-Western).
- Intracultural differences (e.g., socioeconomic status).
- Conditions of development as well as typical and atypical functions.
- Contexts of usage, including personal, social, and business interactions.
Each chapter focuses on issues and methodologies
to provide a comprehensive overview of current studies on the
relationship between the theory of mind and language. Data and working
strategies are provided for clinicians, educators, and other mental
health professionals. This volume is a must-have for developmental,
cognitive, and clinical psychologists and researchers interested in the
most up-to-date information on theory of mind and language.
Ultralingua English Definitions and Thesaurus 4.4.1 + Additional Dictionaries
Ultralingua revolutionizes the way you work with language.
Computerized dictionaries offer speed and ease of use far exceeding the capabilities of paper dictionaries. Moreover, Ultralingua dictionaries offer access to information in a variety of ways, thanks to the indexing system, the reverse translation / auxiliary definition feature, and the extensive language references.