Generating referring expressions in a domain of objects and processes
This thesis presents a collection of algorithms and data structures for the generation of pronouns, anaphoric definite noun phrases, and one-anaphoric phrases. After a close analysis of the particular kinds of referring expressions that appear in a particular domain -that of cookery recipes -the thesis presents an appropriate ontology and a corresponding representation language. This ontology is then integrated into a wider framework for language generation as a whole, whereupon we show how the representation language can be successfully used to produce appropriate referring expressions for a range of complex object types. Amongst the more important ideas explored in the thesis are the following: âą We introduce the notion of a generalized physical object as a way of representing singular entities, mass entities, and entities which are sets. âą We adopt the view that planning operators are essentially underspecified events, and use this, in conjunction with a simple model of the hearer, to allow us to determine the appropriate level of detail at which a given plan should be described. âą We make use of a discourse model that distinguishes local and global focus, and is closely tied to a notion of discourse
Dale, Robert
Computational linguistics
Generating referring expressions in a domain of objects and processes. This thesis presents a collection of algorithms and data structures for the generation of pronouns, anaphoric definite noun phrases, and one-anaphoric phrases. After a close analysis of the particular kinds of referring expressions that appear in a particular domain -that of cookery recipes -the thesis presents an appropriate ontology and a corresponding representation language. This ontology is then integrated into a wider framework for language generation as a whole, whereupon we show how the representation language can be successfully used to produce appropriate referring expressions for a range of complex object types. Amongst the more important ideas explored in the thesis are the following: âą We introduce the notion of a generalized physical object as a way of representing singular entities, mass entities, and entities which are sets. âą We adopt the view that planning operators are essentially underspecified events, and use this, in conjunction with a simple model of the hearer, to allow us to determine the appropriate level of detail at which a given plan should be described. âą We make use of a discourse model that distinguishes local and global focus, and is closely tied to a notion of discourse
generating refer_expression domain object process present collection data structure generation pronoun anaphoric definite noun_phrase anaphoric phrase close_analysis particular_kind refer_expression appear particular domain that recipes the present appropriate ontology correspond representation language ontology integrate wide framework language generation whole show representation language successfully use produce appropriate refer_expression range complex object type amongst important idea explore follow introduce notion generalize physical_object way represent singular entity mass entity entity set adopt view planning operator essentially underspecified event use_conjunction simple model hearer allow determine appropriate level detail give plan describe make_use discourse model distinguish local_global focus closely tied notion discourse