THE MICHIGAN DAILY Computers Clarify Language Translation By RISA AXELROD "If all computers were to vanish from the earth tomorrow, we'd still have interesting theorems on the structure of languages, theor- ems that would not have been re- cognized without the help of these machines," Prof; Anthony G. oet- tinger, of Harvard University, said yesterday. Speaking at the puter appreciation Oettinger outlined advances that have using computers to eign languages. second com- lecture, Prof. some of the been made in translate for- # j R . ~. _ ::". N ' J r yr .. 3 , j , r -1 s:. 5' . l . p.. " « f ,. ' . '' a 4 .." } . "{ ;'{' Iii' Y. ' p S t' " . f ,t : } +:'v' f +i' M. " .r' t t y "Since there is no fundamental correspondance between the sym- bols in one language and those in another, it is necessary to store a large table of corresponding words in the computer," he said. Bi-lingual Dictionary He noted that the problem is similar to that of composing a bi-lingual dictionary where several translations must be inserted for each word. Another problem is how to have the machine choose between several meanings of a word when the context cannot be of any help. In spite of this difficulty, there have been advances in the field of syntax the "geometry of lan- guage," Prof. Oettinger said. "The arrangement of sentence components is usually marked enough in most languages to per- mit a system of translation to be based on it," he added. This system is analogous to one which Prof. Arthur W. Burks of the University's philosophy de- partment helped develop, and which is called "Polish prefix notation." Formal Language By putting sentences into a for- mal language such as this, the process of translation becomes easier, Prof. Oettinger said. "Since the structure of real lan- guages is analogous to the struc- ture of formal languages, the lat- ter may be used to determine whether a translated sentence is well-formed," he said. Prof. Oettinger expressed the view that translation into the for- mal language simplifies ,he whole process of translation without los- ing any of the meaning or struc- tural clarity of the sentence. A second innovation, the "push- down store," is a storage device for lists and tables. It also acts as a checking device by evaluating the material it stores. "Although the 'push-down store' has been implicitly used in many computers, it was only a few weeks ago that a computer based en- tirely on this operation appeared," Prof. Oettinger said. Students To Give Panel on Afriea MUSICAL MDSE., RADIOS, REPAIRS SCOTT KITS BEST DEAL IN TOWN Eico St. 96 stereo tuner kits and 8t. 70 stereo amp. kits now in stock. Hi Fi and phono service. HI-FI STUDIO 1319 S. 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