Morlille kan ikke flyve: Natursproglig semantik og datamater

This paper deals with natural language (NL) semantics an the computer. It presents two major theoretical vicwpoints in linguistic semantics: representational and denotational. In linguistic theory, these two issues are mostly understood as mutually exclusive, as can be seen from Chomskyan and Montague Grammar. The paper discusses representational semantics in connection with the autonomous syntax approach of mainstream transformational grammar, denotational semantics in connection with the model-theoretic approach of Montague grammar. In the next step, I consider the implementation of model-theoretic NL comprehension systems on the computer. In the present context, they are viewed principally as a means to make experimental studies in the formalizations of NL. It is shown that the correct handling of referential NL terms in such systems can be achicved only if these systems combine methods and techniques from both types of semantics. Finally, the cognitive meaning of the concept of computer understanding is touched upon.This paper deals with natural language (NL) semantics an the computer. It presents two major theoretical vicwpoints in linguistic semantics: representational and denotational. In linguistic theory, these two issues are mostly understood as mutually exclusive, as can be seen from Chomskyan and Montague Grammar. The paper discusses representational semantics in connection with the autonomous syntax approach of mainstream transformational grammar, denotational semantics in connection with the model-theoretic approach of Montague grammar. In the next step, I consider the implementation of model-theoretic NL comprehension systems on the computer. In the present context, they are viewed principally as a means to make experimental studies in the formalizations of NL. It is shown that the correct handling of referential NL terms in such systems can be achicved only if these systems combine methods and techniques from both types of semantics. Finally, the cognitive meaning of the concept of computer understanding is touched upon

Anaphora and the Logic of Change

This paper shows how the dynamic interpretation of natural language introduced in work by Hans Kamp and Irene Heim can be modeled in classical type logic. This provides a synthesis between Richard Montague's theory of natural language semantics and the work by Kamp and Heim

A Compositional Treatment of Polysemous Arguments in Categorial Grammar

We discuss an extension of the standard logical rules (functional application and abstraction) in Categorial Grammar (CG), in order to deal with some specific cases of polysemy. We borrow from Generative Lexicon theory which proposes the mechanism of {\em coercion}, next to a rich nominal lexical semantic structure called {\em qualia structure}. In a previous paper we introduced coercion into the framework of {\em sign-based} Categorial Grammar and investigated its impact on traditional Fregean compositionality. In this paper we will elaborate on this idea, mostly working towards the introduction of a new semantic dimension. Where in current versions of sign-based Categorial Grammar only two representations are derived: a prosodic one (form) and a logical one (modelling), here we introduce also a more detaled representation of the lexical semantics. This extra knowledge will serve to account for linguistic phenomena like {\em metonymy\/}.Comment: LaTeX file, 19 pages, uses pubsmacs, pubsbib, pubsarticle, leqn

Logical Conceptualization of Knowledge on the Notion of Language Communication

The main objective of the paper is to provide a conceptual apparatus of a general logical theory of language communication. The aim of the paper is to outline a formal-logical theory of language in which the concepts of the phenomenon of language communication and language communication in general are defined and some conditions for their adequacy are formulated. The theory explicates the key notions of contemporary syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. The theory is formalized on two levels: token-level and type-level. As such, it takes into account the dual – token and type – ontological character of linguistic entities. The basic notions of the theory: language communication, meaning and interpretation are introduced on the second, type-level of formalization, and their required prior formalization of some of the notions introduced on the first, token-level; among others, the notion of an act of communication. Owing to the theory, it is possible to address the problems of adequacy of both empirical acts of communication and of language communication in general. All the conditions of adequacy of communication discussed in the presented paper, are valid for one-way communication (sender-recipient); nevertheless, they can also apply to the reverse direction of language communication (recipient-sender). Therefore, they concern the problem of two-way understanding in language communication

Media Parergon, Media Ergon: An Analytical Overview of the Grammar and Pragmatics of the Media Language

The present work has a central question: how a certain media distinguishes itself from the other communicational and linguistic apparatuses of the world. And with that, he turns on the big question of what each media practice would be. The hypothesis defended here is that each type of media, in its definition, is a language and not an apparatus. Using the concepts of Ludwig Wittgenstein, Jacques Derrida, Jean-François Lyotard and John R. Searle, the concepts of parergon and ergon are discussed. Thus, there is the consideration that if the study of the parergon is a logical study, close to the philosophical debates of the Analytical Philosophy and of authors of Continental Philosophy that quoted Wittgenstein, the study of ergon is a pragmatic study, focused on the speech acts. Logic and Pragmatics do not enter here as competitors, but rather as analytical partners in the definition and study of a language. While the first one analyzes the clipping modes, the second analyzes the action made possible by its clipping

A continuation semantics of interrogatives that accounts for Baker's ambiguity

Wh-phrases in English can appear both raised and in-situ. However, only in-situ wh-phrases can take semantic scope beyond the immediately enclosing clause. I present a denotational semantics of interrogatives that naturally accounts for these two properties. It neither invokes movement or economy, nor posits lexical ambiguity between raised and in-situ occurrences of the same wh-phrase. My analysis is based on the concept of continuations. It uses a novel type system for higher-order continuations to handle wide-scope wh-phrases while remaining strictly compositional. This treatment sheds light on the combinatorics of interrogatives as well as other kinds of so-called A'-movement.Comment: 20 pages; typo fixe

A Relational Formulation of the Theory of Types

This paper developes a relational---as opposed to a functional---theory of types. The theory is based on Hilbert and Bernays' eta operator plus the identity symbol, from which Church's lambda and the other usual operators are then defined. The logic is intended for use in the semantics of natural language