Using the ADIOS algorithm for grammar induction and psycholinguistic comparison

Abstract

This thesis explores the ¯eld of natural language grammar induction as applied to psy- cholinguistic comparison. It speci¯cally concentrates on one algorithm, the ADIOS algorithm. After a discussion of language, grammar and grammar induction methods, it describes the ADIOS algorithm, and presents experiments done on the induction and comparison of gram- mars from small corpora, with the goal of inferring linguistic manifestations of learning dis- abilities. Results show that the grammars used by the groups in question are largely similar, with one exception indicating possible di®erences in the grammatical consistency of normal vs. learning disabled populations. Suggestions are made regarding the future usefulness of such methods in the study of cognition and cognitive di®erences.