A definition and short history of Language Engineering

Abstract

This paper discusses the nature, history and current characteristics of Language Engineering, which is contrasted with Natural Language Processing and Computational Linguistics, and which is shown to have attained its own distinct identity in recent years. Major trends in the field are examined, including its focus on large-scale practical tasks and on quantitative evaluation of progress, and its willingness to embrace a diverse range of techniques. The importance of software engineering in this context is noted, as are some sociological aspects of the practitioner group.

LINGUISTIC ENGINEERING AND ITS APPLICABILITY TO BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE - Towards an Integrated Framework

“…Linguistic engineering is the discipline concerned with the computational processing of unstructured text and speech in order to derive knowledge from it. Several similar disciplines such as Computational Linguistics (CL) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) exist (Cunningham, 1999). CL research concentrates on -studying natural languages, just as traditional linguistics does, but using computers as a tool to model (and, verify or falsify) fragments of linguistic theories deemed of particular interest‖ (Boguraev, Garigliano, & Tait, 1995).…”

Usefulness, localizability, humanness, and language-benefit: additional evaluation criteria for natural language dialogue systems

“…Cunningham (1999) characterises language engineering in terms of ÒÉits focus on large-scale practical tasks and on quantitative evaluation of progress, and its willingness to embrace a diverse range of techniquesÓ.…”

Extending the Linked Data Cloud with Multilingual Lexical Linked Data

“…We also believe that natural language processing plays an important role in order to achieve this goal. language engineering involves the development and application of software systems that perform tasks concerning the processing of human natural language (Cunningham 1999). Different tools have been designed, constructed, and are used for tasks like translation, language teaching, information extraction, and indexing.…”