Language and Logic: Research in the Formalization of Discourse

摘要

This project analyzed some of the pragmatic reasoning which underlies theunderstanding of simple natural language discourses. One characteristic of such reasoning is its nonmonotonicity; what follows from an isolated piece of a text does not necessarily follow from the text taken as a whole. Several linguistic constructions were identified which are important for the intended computational applications, and which produce these nonmonotonic effects in interpretation. An outline was given for an account of the conclusions about what is being conveyed which it is reasonable for a language interpreter to draw, at different points in a communication; this was then further elaborated and implemented. We also analyzed change of mind in the light of contradictory information.