ENG 346: Aspects of the English Language

ENG 346: Aspects of the English Language

Lesson 15: Computational Linguistics
Week: April 28-May 4, 2003

Place: Dial 147

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to do each of the following:

  • Discuss the ways that computers learn and use language.
  • Identify and discuss problems associated with computers’ use of language.
  • Define relevant terms.

Assignments

Read Chapter 17 of Contemporary Linguistics before you come to class on Monday.

Activities

Think Fast: Analyze the sample of computer-generated language I assign you in class.

 

Presentation: Computational Linguistics (Professor Canada)

 

Cooperative Learning:  Respond to questions 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 at the end of Chapter 17 of Contemporary Linguistics.

 

Discussion: During this time, we will discuss the insights and questions that have emerged during our “Think Fast” exercise, my presentation, and cooperative learning.

 

Workshop:  Pair up with a partner and take turns quizzing each other on concepts covered in this course.

 

Conferences: During these one-on-one conferences, I will review some of your writing, orally quiz you on lesson objectives, and field your questions.

 

Announcements: We will wrap up this lesson with announcements regarding upcoming lessons, as well as other relevant subjects.

Terms

Make sure you know the meaning and significance of each of the following terms:

  • computational linguistics
  • deterministic parsing
  • nondeterministic parsing
  • real-world knowledge

Updated January 7, 2003
© Mark Canada, 2003
mark.canada@uncp.edu
 

Introduction

In our last lesson, we studied sociolinguistics.  In this final lesson, we look at computational linguistics.  Make sure that you sign up for a time to take your oral examination next week.

Discussion

Computational Linguistics

Some people tend to think of computers as smarter than human beings.  Anyone who has seen or heard a computer try to handle human language, however, may question this idea.  Why do computers sometimes have so much trouble with speech, grammar, and even spelling?  In this lesson, we will look at the knowledge, processes, and problems involved in teaching a computer to use human language.

Practice

Below are some activities designed to help you master the knowledge and skills covered in this unit.  

Check the Grammar Checker : Bring a disk containing a paper your have written. Run the grammar checker on the paper and make note of the changes that it suggests. Try to determine how this computer program analyzes language. Is it ever wrong? If so, explain the reason for the mistake. 

Conclusion

Congratulations!  You have completed ENG 346: Aspects of the English Language.  Next week, you will have the opportunity to show off all that you have learned about phonology, morphology, the history of English, language acquisition, and the many other subjects we have covered.