NL Understanding with a Grammar of Constructions

We present an approach to na tura l language unders tanding based on a computable grammar of const~ctions. A construetionconsists of a set of features of form and a description of meaning in a context. A grammar is a set of constructions. This kind of grammar is the key element of MINCAL, an implemented natural language speech-enabled interface to an online calendar system. Tile architecture has two key aspects: (a) the use of constructions, integrat ing descriptions of form, meaning an(t context into one whole; and (b) the separation of domain knowledge (about calendars) from application kno'wledgt; (about the part icular on-line calendar). 1 I n t r o d u c t i o n : a n o v e r v i e w o f t h e s y s t e m We present an approach to natural language unders tanding based on a computablc gTummar of constructions. A construction consists of a set of features of form and a description of meaning in a context. A grammar is a set of constructions. This kind of grammar is the key clement of MINCAI,, an imt)lemented natural language speech-enabled interface t() an on-line calendar system. The system consists of a NL grammar, a parser, an on-line calendar, a domain knowledge base (about dates, t imes and meetings), an application knowledge base (about the calendar), a speech recognizer,