The Gradient: Perspectives on AI

Ted Gibson: The Structure and Purpose of Language

Jan 18, 2024

02:13:24

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Ted Gibson, Professor of Computational Linguistics, discusses the purpose and structure of language in this podcast. Topics include dependency distances in language processing, sentence parsing and memory costs, the concept of utility in language, the relationship between language, thought, and communication, studying the language system in the brain, and exploring dependency grammar and the Chomskyian approach.

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Quick takeaways

Dependency distances play a crucial role in language processing, with longer dependencies leading to increased difficulty.

Sentence parsing involves two components: structural integration and memory cost, influenced by predictability and interference.

Language development involves the invention and use of words influenced by cultural communicative needs.

Language processing regions in the brain are distinct from those involved in complex thought, indicating separate processes.

Thought can occur independent of language, as shown by individuals who lack an inner voice during thinking.

Deep dives

Language development and its features

Language development and the features associated with it are of great interest in the field of AI. Ted Gibson, from the TEDLab at MIT, studies why languages look the way they do and explores topics such as the purpose of language, linguistic universals, language comprehension, and processing difficulty. Professor Gibson suggests thinking of language models as theories of language. Language is a complex phenomenon with various factors influencing its structure and development.

Plain language vs legalese

05:09

The Imperfect Representation and Reconstruction of Language in Cognition

05:22

Introduction

2min

Exploring the Purpose of Language and Linguistics in NLP

11min

Dependency Distances in Language Processing

12min

The Complexities of Sentence Parsing and Language Comprehension

25min

The Concept of Utility in Language

7min

The Structure and Purpose of Language: Exploring Number Words

30min

The Relationship Between Language, Thought, and Communication: Analyzing Chomsky's Views

5min

Studying the Language System in the Brain and its Consistency

5min

Language and Task Performance

16min

10.

Exploring Dependency Grammar and the Chomskyian Approach

20min

In episode 107 of The Gradient Podcast, Daniel Bashir speaks to Professor Ted Gibson.

Ted is a Professor of Cognitive Science at MIT. He leads the TedLab, which investigates why languages look the way they do; the relationship between culture and cognition, including language; and how people learn, represent, and process language.

Have suggestions for future podcast guests (or other feedback)? Let us know here or reach us at editor@thegradient.pub

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Outline:

* (00:00) Intro

* (02:13) Prof Gibson’s background

* (05:33) The computational linguistics community and NLP, engineering focus

* (10:48) Models of brains

* (12:03) Prof Gibson’s focus on behavioral work

* (12:53) How dependency distances impact language processing

* (14:03) Dependency distances and the origin of the problem

* (18:53) Dependency locality theory

* (21:38) The structures languages tend to use