Universal Networking Language
The Universal Networking Language (UNL) means universal network language . It is a formal, mathematical language . It is being developed as an international cooperation project by the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) of the United Nations University (UNU) in Tokyo in cooperation with international partners. The aim of the development is to break down language barriers on the Internet. All languages represented in the United Nations should participate.
functionality
One of the greatest advantages of UNL is that it doesn't have to be learned. The author enters the text in his native language using a text editor. The information content of the text is then automatically transferred into a language-independent UNL syntax via an enconverter (analysis program). This can then be translated immediately into any natural language for which there is a deconverter (conversion program).
Enconverter and deconverter are installed as plug-ins of the web browser so that the translation is transparent for the user . UNL can also be embedded in XML .
The UNL syntax contains the following elements:
- Universal words (terms whose meanings exist in every natural language)
- Attributes (properties of universal words)
- Relations (relationships between universal words, e.g. relationships of place and time).
Areas of application
UNL is not suitable for grammatical subtleties and linguistic elegance, but only for the information content that is contained in a text. This is why UNL will primarily be used where it is a matter of transmitting information and quickly capturing information, e.g. B. for product descriptions or operating and repair instructions . The areas of application can be classified as follows:
- Transmission of information
- Information research, especially text search in foreign languages
- electronic services and commerce
- worldwide communication ( e-mail and chat )
