Correcting Syntactic Errors in German Sentences: A Chart-Based Approach

Abstract

This paper describes the design and implementation of a natural language processing system for correcting syntactic errors in German sentences. The errors treated mainly involve word order, but errors of omission are also covered. Chart-based parsing was used as a technique for detecting errors and suggesting possible corrections. The system was implemented in Prolog. In the paper the basic techniques of chart parsing are outlined, followed by a discussion of how these techniques can be usefully employed in association with correction strategies to detect and correct ill-formed sentences. The paper concludes with an evaluation of the present system and some indications for further research.