Reference to locations

An understanding of spatial information in natural language is necessary for many computational linguistics and artificial intelligence applications. In this paper, we discuss what problems researchers face with respect to this topic, focusing on the need for a well-developed annotation scheme. The desiderata for such a specification language are defined along with what representational mechanisms are required for the specification to be successful. We then review several spatial information annotation schemes, focusing on the latest version of the ISO-Space specification. Finally, we discuss where ISO-Space still falls short and propose some ways that the specification could be enriched. RÉSUMÉ. Algorithmes dans les deux la linguistique computationnelle et en intelligence artificielle nécessitent la capacité de comprendre et de raisonner sur l'information spatiale en langage naturel. Dans cet article, nous discutons de ce que les chercheurs face à des problémes en ce qui concerne ce sujet, mettant l'accent sur la nécessité d'un schéma d'annotation bien développé. Les desiderata d'un tel langage de spécification sont définies avec les mécanismes de représentation sont nécessaires pour la spécification de réussir. Nous examinons ensuite plusieurs schémas d'annotation d'information spatiale, en se concentrant sur la derniére version de la spécification ISO-Space. Enfin, nous nous demandons oú ISO-Space est encore loin et de proposer quelques façons que les spécifications peuvent être enrichis.

Nordic Journal of Linguistics, 1995

The "local semantics" approach to the analysis of the meaning of locative particles (e.g. spatial prepositions) is examined, criticized and rejected. An alternative, distributed approach to spatial relational semantics and its linguistic expression is argued for. In the first part of the paper, it is argued that spatial relational semantic information is not exclusively carried in languages such as English by the locative particle, and that "item-specific meanings plus selectional restrictions" cannot save the localist approach. In the second part of the paper, the "covertly" distributed spatial relational semantics of languages such as English is contrasted with the "overtly" distributed spatial relational semantics characterizing many other languages. Some common assumptions relating to the universality of the expression of spatial relational meaning by closed syntactic classes are criticized. A change of perspective from "local" to "distributed" semantics permits the reanalysis of polysemy and item-bound "use-type" in terms of the distributed expression of language-specific spatial relational semantic types.

Journal of Logic and Computation, 2020

In this paper, we present a formalism for handling polysemy in spatial expressions based on supervaluation semantics called standpoint semantics for polysemy (SSP). The goal of this formalism is, given a prepositional phrase, to define its possible spatial interpretations. For this, we propose to characterize spatial prepositions by means of a triplet $\langle $image schema, semantic feature, spatial axis$\rangle $. The core of SSP is predicate grounding theories, which are formulas of a first-order language that define a spatial preposition through the semantic features of its trajector and landmark. Precisifications are also established, which are a set of formulae of a qualitative spatial reasoning formalism that aims to provide the spatial characterization of the trajector with respect to the landmark. In addition to the theoretical model, we also present results of a computational implementation of SSP for the preposition ‘in’.

Spatial Cognition VI. Learning, Reasoning, and Talking …, 2008

2012

This paper proposes a syntax-semantics correspondence of locative expressions: This proposal is based on the syntactic hierarchy among three locative structures (PPs, VPs, and verbal affixes) and the semantic hierarchy among four locative arguments (Goal, Source, Symmetric Path, Stative Location). As for the syntactic hierarchy, the verbal affixes are closer to the head verb than the locative/path verbs are, and the locative/path verbs than the locative PPs. As for the semantic hierarchy, the following four arguments form a hierarchy due to their semantic closeness to the motion event: Goal > S-Path > Source > St-Location. (cf. Nam 1995, 2004) We argue for this correspondence claim by identifying some crucial typological implications holding between the syntactic/semantic hierarchies.

2

Proceedings of the 27th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Conference on Advances in Geographic Information Systems

Imprecise composite location references formed using ad hoc spatial expressions in English text makes the geocoding task challenging for both inference and evaluation. Typically such spatial expressions fill in unestablished areas with new toponyms for finer spatial referents. For example, the spatial extent of the ad hoc spatial expression "north of" or "50 minutes away from" in relation to the toponym "Dayton, OH" refers to an ambiguous, imprecise area, requiring translation from this qualitative representation to a quantitative one with precise semantics using systems such as WGS84. Here we highlight the challenges of geocoding such referents and propose a general formal representation that employs background knowledge, semantic approximations and rules, and fuzzy linguistic variables. We also discuss an appropriate evaluation technique for the task that is based on human contextualized and subjective judgment. CCS CONCEPTS • Information systems → Evaluation of retrieval results; Geographic information systems;

1994

ABSTRACT.This paper describes the results of a series of human-subjects experiments to test how people think about spatial relations between lines and regions. The experiments are centered on a formal model of topological spatial relations, c alled the 9-intersection. For unbranched lines and simplyconnected regions, this model identifies 19 different spatial relations. Subject s were presented with two or three geometrically-distinct drawings of each spatial relation (40 drawings in all), with the line and re gion said to be a road and a park, respectively. In the first experiment, the task was to group the drawings so that the same phrase or s entence to

Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2011

We provide a systematic model of spatial reference frames. The model captures concepts underlying natural language expressions in English that represent both external and internal as well as static and dynamic relationships between entities. Our implementation in the functional language Haskell generates valid English sentences from situations and reference frames. Spatial reference frames are represented by the spatial roles of locatum, relatum, and, optionally, vantage, together with a directional system. Locatum, relatum, and vantage can be filled by entities taking on the discourse roles of speaker, addressee, and participant (grammatically expressed by first, second, and third person). Each of these roles may remain unspecified in a linguistic description.

Revista Espanola De Linguistica Aplicada, 2004

This paper consists of a critical review of how spatial prepositions and adverbial particles have been treated in the literature. After examining traditional grammars' description of locational expressions until the present moment, some of the main and most recent ideas related to spatial analysis of prepositions and adverbs are put forward. These two opposed positions in relation to the way of categorizing them are presented and discussed. As a result of the data gathered, and starting from a functional paradigm, a new classification of such items is proposed. Therefore, clear boundaries are established to account for the distinction between prepositions and adverbs.