Using Classification to Generate Text

The IDAS natural-language generation system uses a KL-ONE type classifier to perform content determination, surface realisation, and part of text planning. Generation-by-classification allows IDAS to use a single representation and reasoning component for both domain and linguistic knowledge, which is difficult for systems based on unification or systemic generation techniques. I n t r o d u c t i o n Classification is the name for the procedure of automatically inserting new classes into the correct position in a KL-ONE type class taxonomy [Brachman and Schmolze, 1985]. When combined with an attribute inheritance system, classification provides a general pattern-matching and unification capability that can be used to do much of the processing needed by NL generation systems, including content-determination, surfacerealisation, and portions of text planning. Classification and inheritance are used in this manner by the IDAS natural language generation system [Reiter et al., 1992], and their use has allowed IDAS to use a single knowledge representation system for both linguistic and domain knowledge.