Comparison of Surface Language Generators: A Case Study in Choice of Connectives

Language generation systems have used a variety of grammatical formalisms for producing syntactic structure and yet, there has been little research evaluating the formalisms for the specifics of the generation task. In our work at Columbia we have primarily used a unification based formalism, a Functional Unification Grammar (FUG) [Kay 79] and have found it well suited for many of the generation tasks we have addressed. Over the course of the past 5 years we have also explored the use of various off-the-shelf parsing formalisms, including an Augmented Transition Network (ATN) [Woods 70]. a Bottom-Up Chan Parser (BUP) [Finin 84], and a Declarative Clause Grammar (DCG) [Pereira & Warren 80]. In this paper, we identify the characteristics of FDG that we find useful for generation and contrast these with characteristics of the parsing formalisms and with other formalisms that are typically used for generation

Problematising L2 listening pedagogy:the potential of process-based listening strategy instruction in the L2 classroom

Listening is typically the first language skill to develop in first language (L1) users and has been recognized as a basic and fundamental tool for communication. Despite the importance of listening, aural abilities are often taken for granted, and many people overlook their dependency on listening and the complexities that combine to enable this multi-faceted skill. When second language (L2) students are learning their new language, listening is crucial, as it provides access to oral input and facilitates social interaction. Yet L2 students find listening challenging, and L2 teachers often lack sufficient pedagogy to help learners develop listening abilities that they can use in and beyond the classroom. In an effort to provide a pedagogic alternative to more traditional and limited L2 listening instruction, this thesis investigated the viability of listening strategy instruction (LSI) over three semesters at a private university in Japan through a qualitative action research (AR) intervention. An LSI program was planned and implemented with six classes over the course of three AR phases. Two teachers used the LSI with 121 learners throughout the project. Following each AR phase, student and teacher perceptions of the methodology were investigated via questionnaires and interviews, which were primary data collection methods. Secondary research methods (class observations, pre/post-semester test scores, and a research journal) supplemented the primary methods. Data were analyzed and triangulated for emerging themes related to participants’ perceptions of LSI and the viability thereof. These data showed consistent positive perceptions of LSI on the parts of both learners and teachers, although some aspects of LSI required additional refinement. This project provided insights on LSI specific to the university context in Japan and also produced principles for LSI program planning and implementation that can inform the broader L2 education community

A Contrastive Study of Functional Unification Grammar for Surface Language Generation: A Case Study in Choice of Connectives

Language generation systems have used a variety of grammatical formalisms for producing syntactic structure and yet, there has been little research evaluating the formalisms for the specifics of the generation task. In our work at Columbia we have primarily used a unification based formalism, a Functional Unification Grammar (FUG) [Kay 79] and have found it well suited for many of the generation tasks we have addressed. Over the course of the past 5 years we have also explored the use of various off-the-shelf parsing formalisms, including an Augmented Transition Network (ATN) [Woods 701], a Bottom-Up Chart Parser (SUP) [Finin 84], and a Declarative Clause Grammar (DCG) [Pereira and Warren 80]. In contrast, we have found that parsing formalisms do not have the same benefits for the generation task

Detailed Design and Partial Implementation of a Pre-processor for Prolog Programs with Embedded C Statements

Computer Scienc

An Introduction to Unification-Based Approaches to Grammar

Engineering and Applied Science

1931, March 27, Friday

The Booster, Vol. XV, no. 11. Printed in Pittsburg, Kansas

Smart PIN: performance and cost-oriented context-aware personal information network

The next generation of networks will involve interconnection of heterogeneous individual networks such as WPAN, WLAN, WMAN and Cellular network, adopting the IP as common infrastructural protocol and providing virtually always-connected network. Furthermore, there are many devices which enable easy acquisition and storage of information as pictures, movies, emails, etc. Therefore, the information overload and divergent content’s characteristics make it difficult for users to handle their data in manual way. Consequently, there is a need for personalised automatic services which would enable data exchange across heterogeneous network and devices. To support these personalised services, user centric approaches for data delivery across the heterogeneous network are also required. In this context, this thesis proposes Smart PIN - a novel performance and cost-oriented context-aware Personal Information Network. Smart PIN's architecture is detailed including its network, service and management components. Within the service component, two novel schemes for efficient delivery of context and content data are proposed: Multimedia Data Replication Scheme (MDRS) and Quality-oriented Algorithm for Multiple-source Multimedia Delivery (QAMMD). MDRS supports efficient data accessibility among distributed devices using data replication which is based on a utility function and a minimum data set. QAMMD employs a buffer underflow avoidance scheme for streaming, which achieves high multimedia quality without content adaptation to network conditions. Simulation models for MDRS and QAMMD were built which are based on various heterogeneous network scenarios. Additionally a multiple-source streaming based on QAMMS was implemented as a prototype and tested in an emulated network environment. Comparative tests show that MDRS and QAMMD perform significantly better than other approaches