Controlled natural language: Difference between revisions
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and possibly simplify the (semi-)automatic translation of the documentation. |
and possibly simplify the (semi-)automatic translation of the documentation. |
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These languages restrict the writer by general rules such as "write short and grammatically simple sentences", |
These languages restrict the writer by general rules such as "write short and grammatically simple sentences", |
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"use nouns instead of pronouns", "use determiners", and "use active instead of passive". |
"use nouns instead of pronouns", "use determiners", and "use active instead of passive".<ref>{{cite journal |
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* [http://www.ics.mq.edu.au/~rolfs/controlled-natural-languages/ Controlled Natural Languages] (Macquarie University) |
* [http://www.ics.mq.edu.au/~rolfs/controlled-natural-languages/ Controlled Natural Languages] (Macquarie University) |
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* [http://www.controlledenglish.com/ Overview of Controlled English and HyperSTE, customizable Controlled English checker] |
* [http://www.controlledenglish.com/ Overview of Controlled English and HyperSTE, customizable Controlled English checker] |
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* [http://www.controlledlanguage.com/ Simplus |
* [http://www.controlledlanguage.com/ Simplus – Simplified English Checker] |
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* [http://www.acrolinx.com/acrocheck_overview_en.php acrocheck] |
* [http://www.acrolinx.com/acrocheck_overview_en.php acrocheck] – Customizable controlled language checker for many authoring environments |
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* [http://sec.cs.kent.ac.uk/permis/downloads/Level1/policy.shtml PERMIS Policy Editor] uses controlled English in its user interface |
* [http://sec.cs.kent.ac.uk/permis/downloads/Level1/policy.shtml PERMIS Policy Editor] uses controlled English in its user interface |
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Revision as of 08:20, 14 August 2008
Controlled natural languages (CNLs) are subsets of natural languages, obtained by restricting the grammar and vocabulary in order to reduce or eliminate ambiguity and complexity. Traditionally, controlled languages fall into two major types: those that improve readability for human readers (e.g. non-native speakers), and those that enable reliable automatic semantic analysis of the language.
The first type of languages (often called "simplified" or "technical" languages), for example ASD Simplified Technical English, Caterpillar Technical English, IBM's Easy English, are used in the industry to increase the quality of technical documentation, and possibly simplify the (semi-)automatic translation of the documentation. These languages restrict the writer by general rules such as "write short and grammatically simple sentences", "use nouns instead of pronouns", "use determiners", and "use active instead of passive".[1]
The second type of languages have a formal logical basis, i.e. they have a formal syntax and semantics, and can be mapped to an existing formal language, such as first-order logic. Thus, those languages can be used as knowledge-representation languages, and writing of those languages is supported by fully automatic consistency and redundancy checks, query answering, etc.
Languages
Existing logic-based controlled natural languages include:
- Attempto Controlled English
- Common Logic Controlled English (CLCE)
- Metalog's Pseudo Natural Language (PNL)
- Ordnance Survey Rabbit
- Processable ENGlish (PENG)
- Semantics of Business Vocabulary and Business Rules
Other existing controlled natural languages include:
- ASD Simplified Technical English (AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe--formerly AECMA)
- E-Prime
- Gellish
- Newspeak, the fictional language in the dystopia novel 1984 by George Orwell, is a controlled natural language as well as a semi-constructed language.
- Uwe Muegge's Controlled Language Optimized for Uniform Translation (CLOUT)
- Voice of America's Special English
- sEnglish
See also
References
- ^ Muegge, Uwe (2007). "Controlled language: the next big thing in translation?". ClientSide News Magazine. 7 (7). ClientSide Publications: 21–24.
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External links
- Controlled Natural Languages (Macquarie University)
- Overview of Controlled English and HyperSTE, customizable Controlled English checker
- Simplus – Simplified English Checker
- acrocheck – Customizable controlled language checker for many authoring environments
- PERMIS Policy Editor uses controlled English in its user interface