Generation And Translation Towards A Formalism-Independent Characterisation

This paper explores the options available in the formal definitions of generation and, parasit ically, translation, with respect to the assumed necessity for using a single g rammar for analysis and synthesis. This leads to the consideratiOn of different adequacy conditions re la t ing the input to the generation process and the products of analysis of its Output. I. A SCHEMATIC DEFINITION OF ~ G E N E R A T E S ' We start from the assumption of a constraint-based theory of l inguist ic description, which supports at least the notions of derivation and underlying form, in tha t the defini t ion of grammat ica l i ty appeals to a relation between surface s t r ings and some formal structure. We will a t tempt to remain agnostic about the shape of this formal structure, its precise seman t i c s and t h e m e c h a n i s m s by which a g r a m m a r and lexicon cons t ra in its natUre in any par t i cu la r case. In particular, we take no stand on whether it is uniform and monolithic, as in the: attr ibute-value matrices (hereafter AVMs) of PATR-II or HPSG, or varied and partitioned, as in the trees, AVMs and logical formulae of LFG. We will use the phrase products of analysis to refer to the set of underlying structures associated by a g r ammar and lexicon with a surface