Abstract
This paper describes an abstract machine for linguistic formalisms that are based on typed feature structures, such as HPSG. The core design of the abstract machine is given in detail, including the compilation process from a high-level language to the abstract machine language and the implementation of the abstract instructions. The machine's engine supports the unification of typed, possibly cyclic, feature structures. A separate module deals with control structures and instructions to accommodate parsing for phrase structure grammars. We treat the linguistic formalism as a high-level declarative programming language, applying methods that were proved useful in computer science to the study of natural languages: a grammar specified using the formalism is endowed with an operational semantics.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 5th Workshop on Natural Language Understanding and Logic Programming |
Pages | 205-220 |
State | Published - 13 Apr 1995 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Self-contained LaTeX, 15 pages, to appear in NLULP95Keywords
- cmp-lg
- cs.CL