Ryo Stanwood and Masami Suzuki
Some Computational Applications of
Lexical Functions
Abstract:A semantic network is the proper context to fully realize the potential of
Mel'cuk's system of lexical functions. Mel'cuk's system of lexical functions
describe word relationships in such an explicit and systematic manner that their
use in even simplest applications will improve the quality of the translation.
These simple applications, however, crucially rely on the mechanism of
synonymy. A semantic network allows us to avoid this problem. Unfortunately,
the process of lexically realizing of this network requires more computationally
sophisticated schemes. As a preliminary step, this paper suggests that during the
course of translation the network can be managed through the use of partitions.
Additionally, this paper proposes some constraints on processing algorithms to
make such a network computationally more feasible.