ABSTRACT
The Word Expert Parsing theory and model are described. In this theory, most linguistic and conceptual knowledge relevant to comprehension of language is contained in modular, autonomous “word experts”. Our theory is that language comprehension is the interaction of such experts as they construct and exchange information in reaction to input sentences in both discourse and real-world contexts. The Lexical Interaction Language (LIL) and Sense Discrimination Language (SDL), the two sets of primitives from which the theory’s model is constructed, are explained, drawing on numerous examples taken from running examples of the parser. A full execution trace of the sentence “The man eating peaches throws out a pit.” concludes the discussion. Arguments are advanced about why such a theory as this seems to be necessary, and why it is plausible as a theory of human language comprehension.
