Clark Sexton

In this paper, we propose a new alternative theory for natural language processing and understanding by treating natural languages in the same way as strongly-typed functional programming languages. In particular, we show how English can be viewed as a strongly-typed language with a polymorphic type system. We present a context-sensitive syntax using typing axioms and inference rules and use them to construct tree proofs that represent the structure of English sentences. This approach ooers a new parsing strategy, which allows us to investigate and solve many important problems that arise in natural language processing, such as ambiguity and references.

This dissertation presents an alternative account of analyticity, as well as arguments for that account. Although an analysis and interpretation of previous accounts of analyticity are presented, the focus is on the analysis of, and the arguments for a solution to, the philosophical problem of the existence of analyticities. The consideration of classical and contemporary texts provides a context for the alternative account of analyticity presented, and the analysis of the arguments against previous accounts of analyticity serve to demonstrate both the need for an alternative account and the means by which it avoids the problems inherent in the previous accounts. The dissertation begins with an initial argument for the philosophical significance of analyticity, as many have questioned its role. This is followed by an exposition and analysis of the origins and variations of the analytic/synthetic distinction in the writings of Locke, Leibniz, Hume, and Kant. As the conventionalist ac...

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a new alternative theory for natural language processing and understanding by treating natural languages in the same way as strongly-typed functional programming languages. In particular, we show how English can be viewed as ...