Notes towards an incremental implementation of the Role and Reference Grammar semantics-to-syntax linking algorithm for English

This paper presents some ideas which might be incorporated into a functional model of language production based on an incremental application of the semantics-to-syntax linking procedure of Role and Reference Grammar (RRG). After a brief outline of syntax, semantics and their interrelationship as seen in RRG, the idea of incrementality in language production is introduced, with particular reference to the work of Ferreira (2000). A dynamic implementation of the linking procedure for a simple sentence is then proposed. The problems raised by information (topic, focus) structure in more complex sentences are then addressed, and an example is worked through in detail. The paper concludes with a brief section which sets this work within the context of a wider research programme.