An open-ended computational construction grammar for Spanish verb conjugation
The Spanish verb phrase can take on many forms, depending on the temporal,
aspectual and modal interpretation that a speaker wants to convey. At least half
a dozen constructions work together to build or analyze even the simplest verb
form such as hablo ‘I speak’. This paper documents how the
complete Spanish verb conjugation system can be operationalized in a
computational construction grammar formalism, namely Fluid Construction Grammar.
Moreover, it shows how starting from a seed grammar that handles regular
morphology and grammar one can create a productive grammar that captures
systematicity in Spanish verb conjugation and can expand its construction
inventory when new verbs are encountered.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Learning challenges in the acquisition of Spanish verbs
- 2.1Semantic challenges
- 2.1.1Tense
- 2.1.2Aspect
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2.1.3Mood
- 2.2Morpho-syntactic challenges
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3.Α Spanish grammar fragment
- 3.1Grammar design
- 3.1.1Lexical constructions
- 3.1.2Stem constructions
- 3.1.3Suffix constructions
- 3.1.4Grammatical constructions
- 3.2Verb conjugation
- 3.3Stem changes
- 4.Towards a productive Spanish grammar
- 4.1Extending the seed grammar
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4.2Grammar evaluation
- 5.Conclusions and future outlook
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Acknowledgments
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Note
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References