A specification language for Lexical Functional Grammars

TL;DR

This paper introduces a formal specification language for Lexical Functional Grammars (LFG), allowing direct expression of constraints on LFG structures without relying on the construction algorithm.

Contribution

It presents a novel language L for specifying LFG grammars, enabling direct constraint expression on LFG's ontology and principles.

Findings

Language L effectively specifies LFG constraints

Facilitates direct expression of schemata, rules, and principles

Raises broader issues for future research

Abstract

This paper defines a language L for specifying LFG grammars. This enables constraints on LFG's composite ontology (c-structures synchronised with f-structures) to be stated directly; no appeal to the LFG construction algorithm is needed. We use L to specify schemata annotated rules and the LFG uniqueness, completeness and coherence principles. Broader issues raised by this work are noted and discussed.