8.1155, Qs: Conjunctions, NLP Tools, Holocaust

Fri Aug 8 00:52:07 UTC 1997

LINGUIST List:  Vol-8-1155. Thu Aug 7 1997. ISSN: 1068-4875.

Subject: 8.1155, Qs: Conjunctions, NLP Tools, Holocaust

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1)
Date:  Thu, 07 Aug 1997 11:45:21 -0700
From:  Ken Litkowski <ken at clres.com>
Subject:  Analysis of subordinating conjunctions

2)
Date:  Fri, 8 Aug 1997 00:53:39 +0900 (JST)
From:  iram at tantalus.tutkie.tut.ac.jp (Iram Shahzad)
Subject:  dictionary for developing NLP tools

3)
Date:  Thu, 7 Aug 1997 15:48:35 -0400 (EDT)
From:  ALF91 at aol.com
Subject:  re: Dehumanizing Language and the Holocaust

-------------------------------- Message 1 -------------------------------

Date:  Thu, 07 Aug 1997 11:45:21 -0700
From:  Ken Litkowski <ken at clres.com>
Subject:  Analysis of subordinating conjunctions

I am performing a "definitive" analysis of the meanings of
subordinating conjunctions and would be interested in linking up with
anyone who has focused on their representation in NLP systems.  I am
performing an analysis of subordinating conjunction definitions in
Webster's 3rd International Dictionary, modeling these definitions
using the theory of labeled directed graphs (digraphs), using
principles for identifying primitives I have previously described (see
Litkowski, K. C. (1988). On the search for semantic
primitives. Computational Linguistics, 14(1), 52 for an overview).

The "meaning" of subordinating conjunctions essentially consists of
labeling clauses and establishing discourse relationships of time,
contingency, place, condition, concession, contrast, reason, purpose,
and result (see Quirk et al. pp. 1070-1112).  I am aware that
subordinating conjunctions are used as cue words in discourse
processing, but I am not aware of any systematic bringing together of
these "meanings" in a computational system.  Characterizing these
meanings is important in the digraph analysis, and while I can do it
myself, it would be preferable not to reinvent the wheel.  I would be
grateful if anyone can point to computational representations of these
meanings.

A database of these "meanings" will eventually be made publicly
available on the web for anyone to use.

Thanks,

-
Ken Litkowski                         TEL.: 301-926-5904
CL Research                           EMAIL: ken at clres.com
20239 Lea Pond Place
Gaithersburg, MD 20879-1270 USA       Home Page: http://www.clres.com

-------------------------------- Message 2 -------------------------------

Date:  Fri, 8 Aug 1997 00:53:39 +0900 (JST)
From:  iram at tantalus.tutkie.tut.ac.jp (Iram Shahzad)
Subject:  dictionary for developing NLP tools

I am looking for freely available English to Japanese dictionaries
which I may use for developing NLP tools.  Searching the web, I only
found dictionaries for looking up words on-line.

Please give me pointers to the above kind of dictionaries.

Thanking in advance,
Iram

-------------------------------- Message 3 -------------------------------

Date:  Thu, 7 Aug 1997 15:48:35 -0400 (EDT)
From:  ALF91 at aol.com
Subject:  re: Dehumanizing Language and the Holocaust

Dear Friends,

I apologize for taking so long to thank the many people who suggested
titles for my thesis on looking at the dehumanizing language used
during the Holocaust (and possibly making a connection to modern
times, but I'm not sure yet). The response was overwhelming and
several good titles were suggested.  Not knowing this forum, I was
intimidated at first, but everyone helped me feel quite at ease. Thank
you!

Unfortunately, my email system recently crashed, and I lost all saved
responses, so I cannot thank individuals. I would like to share some
titles with all of you, and if you were someone who helped me before,
or if you just joined and know of other sources I might try, I would
appreciate further contact. The overwhelming title was Victor
Klemperer's book Lingua Tetii Imperii, which I am still trying to
locate in English translation. So far, no luck. If anyone might be
able to locate one, please let me know.

Other titles included Handke's play _Kaspar_, Irving Allen's work in
_Unkind Words_ and _The Language of Ethnic Conflict_, _Julius
Streicher_ (suggested by the author himself), and several Holocaust
history texts like Dawidowicz's _The War Against the Jews_. I have
gathered some of my sources and will begin "diving in" this September.

Again, thank you to the list and all who helped me. If you do have
other suggested sources or know of Klemperer's book in English, please
contact me still.

Kelly Alfrey (alf91 at aol.com)
Ball State University, Muncie, IN

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