Language

Three stages of learning language

There are three stages of learning language components and usage: social encounter, education, and skill building.

In stage one, during conversation, the learner encounters unexpected language elements and uses inductive generalization to create rules for generating and comprehending these elements. The learner then tests the rules and corrects or reinforces the rules. Conversation partner may also correct learner.

In stage two rules for generating and comprehending these elements are taught to the learner by tutoring.

In stage three the learner augments rules by seeking more examples, special uses, cliches, generalizations, new language types, and exceptions.

Language learning stages

1. Stage one – Learning by example
   1. Examples
   2. Generalization
   3. Experimentation
      1. Comprehension tests
      2. Generation tests
   4. Correction
      1. Comprehension rules
      2. Expression rules
   5. Reinforcement
      1. Comprehension rules
   6. Expression rules
2. Stage two – Learning by Education
   1. Language components
   2. Language usage
3. Stage three – Learning by Experimentation
   1. Learning special uses
   2. Learning cliches
   3. Learning generalizations
   4. Learning new types
   5. Learning exceptions
   6. Etc.

Conversation is the gateway to knowledge.  Here is a dialog process description.

Conversation process

1. Language comprehension
   1. Parse input
      1. Tag POS
   2. Standardize input
      1. Resolve Language elements
   3. Determine intent
   4. Interpret meaning
2. Language Learning, Reasoning, Reacting
1. Direct learning (tutor)
   1. Episodes
   2. Procedures
      1. Language acquisition
         1. Learn Language conventions
   3. Semantic Propositions
2. Indirect learning (inference/experience)
   1. Reasoning
      1. Episodes
      2. Procedures
         1. Language acquisition
            1. Learn Language conventions
      3. Semantic Propositions
   2. Reacting
      1. Modify feelings
      2. Respond to changes
   3. Collect responses
3. Language expression
   1. Consolidate responses
   2. Translate responses to English sentences
   3. Transform English sentences
      1. Generate Language elements
   4. Express sentences

Language Processes - Acquisition, Comprehension, Expression

Language acquisition is the process of associating mental representations with oral, written, graphic and gestured communication in an agreed upon mutual language that allows comprehension and expression. This process includes accepting communication and propositions that express intent, inferring grammar and style rules, and testing the rules.

 

The following is a “learn by example” English language acquisition process in a simple sentence written dialog protocol.

 

1. Using a known sentence structure, parse the input sentence

2.      Compare components to English language patterns

o       Case 1 - If 100% pattern match found, then exit (to interpret sentence)

o       Case 2 - If literals only match found, then

1.      For each unmatched element, infer the class of the element is probably consistent with the pattern.

2.      Exit (to interpret sentence)

o       Case 3 - If no matches found, then for each stored sentence in past dialogs

1.      Parse sentence into words and delimiters using sentence structure

2.      Compare input components to dialog sentence components

3.      If match not found, then go to next dialog sentence

4.      If match found, then infer pattern for related sentences using matched components using inductive generalization

5.      Compare non-matching component to class elements

6.      If match found, then go to compare next non-matching component

7.      If no match found, then establish a class variable for the non-matching component

8.      Remember class variables

9.      Remember English language pattern

10.  Exit (to interpret sentence)

o       Case 4 - If variables only found, then

1.      Assume unmatched components are new literal

2.      Create probable new pattern

3.      Remember English language pattern

4.      Exit (to interpret sentence)

 

Case 1 – 100% match.

Input: Mary went to the doctor’s office.

Dialog entries: Mary went to the store. Alice went to the doctor’s office.

English Language Pattern: person went to the place.

Class: person (Mary, Alice)

Class: place (store, doctor’s office)  

Sentence structure (words + delimiter)

 

Case 2 – literals only match.

Input: Jake went to the gym.

Dialog entries: Mary went to the store. Alice went to the doctor’s office.

English Language Pattern: person went to the place.

Class: person (Mary, Alice)

Class: place (store, doctor) 

Sentence structure (words + delimiter)

New elements: Assume that Jake is probably a person and gym is probably a place. 

 

Case 3 – no match.

Input: Jake went to the gym.

Dialog entries: Mary went to the store. Alice went to the doctor’s office.

English Language Pattern: none

Class: person (Mary, Alice)

Class: place (store, doctor’s office)  

Sentence structure (words + delimiter)

New elements: Assume that Jake is probably a person and gym is probably a place.

New elements: Assume that “person went to the place” is a new pattern. 

 

Case 4 – variables match.

Input: Mary went to the doctor’s office.

Dialog entries: Mary went to the store. Alice went to the doctor’s office.

English Language Pattern: person was at the place.

Class: person (Mary, Alice)

Class: place (store, doctor’s office)  

Sentence structure (words + delimiter)

New elements: Assume that “person went to the place” is a new pattern.

• English Lexicon
• English Language conventions
  • Anatomy of speech
  • Structure
  • Semantics
  • Sounds and symbols
  • Grammar
  • Grammatical categories
  • Word classes
  • Morphology
  • Syntax