Grammatical Framework Tutorial
ICFP 2012, Copenhagen 9-15 September 2012

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==Goals==

This tutorial gives a hands-on introduction to GF (Grammatical Framework), 
a special-purpose functional language 
for writing grammars (http://grammaticalframework.org).

We will show how techniques from compiler construction and functional 
programming can be used in the processing of natural languages, 
but also for formal languages and interfacing 
the two. An emerging use is DSL's, where GF provides high expressive 
power in terms of both
linguistic expressivity (beyond context-free) and semantics (dependent types).

GF activities are rapidly growing: there is an on-going EU project 
MOLTO (molto-project.eu), as well as a new textbook 
(Aarne Ranta, Grammatical Framework: Programming with Multilingual Grammars, 
CSLI Publications, Stanford, 2011). 
GF also has users in companies (Galois, Ontotext, BeInformed, Google).
Interestingly, GF has been the first functional language for many people, 
in particular those with a linguistic background. It has a unique 
combination of advanced features such as parametrized modules, regular 
expression pattern matching, and dependent types - all of which are 
amply motivated by practical applications.

The [GF Resource Grammar Library http://www.grammaticalframework.org/lib/doc/synopsis.html]
is an open-source international project 
now comprising 24 languages, with 5 to 10 more under construction.
It makes it possible to develop grammar applications without linguistic knowledge.

At the same time, it is an experiment on using a common abstract syntax for
the languages of the world. We don't claim it to be a universal grammar
with no exceptions, but so far we haven't met any unsurmountable problems.
If you want to contribute a new language, let us know! It is a job of
2 to 6 months.


==Structure of the tutorial==

Hour 1. Writing multilingual grammars in GF (Aarne Ranta)

Hour 2. Applications for the web, mobile phones, and as embedded Haskell programs 
(Thomas Hallgren)

Hour 3. Internals of GF, theoretical aspects, and future trends (Krasimir Angelov)


==Organizers==


[Krasimir Angelov http://www.chalmers.se/cse/EN/organization/divisions/computing-science/people/angelov-krasimir]

[Thomas Hallgren http://www.cse.chalmers.se/~hallgren/]

[Aarne Ranta http://www.cse.chalmers.se/~aarne/]

