Computational Models of Language (CoLa) Reading Group

Spring 2012: Meetings Wednesday @ 10:30am in SBSG 2221
Faculty Leader: Lisa Pearl, Department of Cognitive Sciences, UCI

Previous Members/Alumni:
Shannon Stanton, Information and Computer Sciences, UCI
Jose Tabares, Department of Cognitive Sciences, UCI
Brandon Turok, Department of Cognitive Sciences, UCI
Caroline Wagenaar, Information and Computer Sciences, UCI
Jim White, Information and Computer Sciences, UCI

Topics of interest include:

computational models of language learning/acquisition
computational learning theory
principles underlying models of language learning and change
modeling information extraction from language by humans

Language learning/acquisition: Language is an amazingly complex system of knowledge that must be learned from noisy input. That very young children who don't have the cognitive sophistication to count to four can accomplish this task is no small wonder. That adults who have far more cognitive resources and learning strategies - not to mention knowledge of their native language - can't is perhaps even more striking. How is this possible?

Computational learning theory: This includes formal representations of learnability, with particular interest in connections to language acquisition by humans.

Principles underlying models of language learning and change: These include discussions of fundamental assumptions (e.g., analysis by synthesis), processes underlying linguistic development, the relationship between language acquisition and language change, and processes of linguistic evolution.

Modeling information extraction from language by humans: Beyond comprehending the straightforward meaning of language data (which isn't necessarily so straightforward at all to comprehend), people also seem able to extract information about social relationships (such as power dynamics) and intentions (such as the intent to hide information). Moreoever, they seem to be able to do this just by looking at the language itself (such as text in an email), in the absence of other information such as facial expressions and auditory cues. Since the only information available is the language, humans must be using linguistic cues to do so. What are these cues? Are there additional informative cues available? How good (or bad) are humans at noticing various linguistic cues?