Computational Construction Grammar

Achieving a transparent mapping between linguistic utterances and a representation of their meaning

Computational construction grammar is a branch of linguistics that aims to operationalise insights and analyses from construction grammar into concrete processing models. These models are used (i) to validate the preciseness and consistency of a linguistic analysis, (ii) to corroborate an analysis using corpus data, and (iii) to enhance the performance of language technology applications.

The EHAI team is among the main developers of the Fluid Construction Grammar system (FCG) , the most advanced computational framework for implementing construction grammars. We have authored scientific papers on many aspects of computational construction grammar, including how flexible construction application can be achieved (Van Eecke & Beuls, 2017), how constructions can freely combine (Van Eecke & Beuls, 2018), and the use of computational construction grammar in language technology applications (Nevens, Van Eecke & Beuls, Accepted). Currently, we are in the process of writing an introductory textbook on computational construction grammar, to be published by Routledge in August 2020.

Background Reading

Van Eecke, Paul & Beuls, Katrien. 2017. Meta-Layer Problem Solving for Computational Construction Grammar. In 2017 AAAI Spring Symposium Series, pages 258-265.

Van Eecke, Paul & Beuls, Katrien. 2018. Exploring the Creative Potential of Computational Construction Grammar. Zeitschrift für Anglistik und Amerikanistik, 66(3): 341-355.

Nevens, Jens, Van Eecke, Paul & Beuls, Katrien. 2019. Computational Construction Grammar for Visual Question Answering. Linguistics Vanguard, 5(1): 1-16.

Steels, Luc (ed.). 2011. Design Patterns in Fluid Construction Grammar. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.