Conceptual Dependency Theory : Ein Überblick

Abstract

The paper reflects the contents of a talk given at the 2nd KL-AI-Workshop. Its main concern is the knowledge representation formalism of CD theory. We begin with an introduction to the syntax and semantics of CD structures. Next, we explain how CD structures can be put to use in the representation of the meaning contents of utterances. Primitive ACTs play an important aspect in the transition from the input text to CD structures and lead to a general discussion of the principle of CD theory that meaning should be represented using a small (minimal?) number of primitives. The exposition af the static aspects of CD structures is complemented by a brief look at conceptual inference rules and the way that CD theory was actually used in Schank‘s programs MARGIE and SAM. We close with a summary of critical statements made by bothe Schank and other researchers in the field. Pointers to the literature are provided.