Construction by Description in Discourse Representation
Noor van Leusen, Reinhard Muskens

Abstract: This paper uses classical logic for a simultaneous
description of the syntax and semantics of a fragment of English and
it is argued that such an approach to natural language allows
procedural aspects of linguistic theory to get a purely declarative
formulation. In particular, it will be shown how certain construction
rules in Discourse Representation Theory, such as the rule that
indefinites create new discourse referents and definites pick up an
existing referent, can be formulated declaratively if logic is used as
a metalanguage for English. In this case the declarative aspects of a
rule are highlighted when we focus on the model theory of the
description language while a procedural perspective is obtained when
its proof theory is concentrated on. Themes of interest are Discourse
Representation Theory, resolution of anaphora, resolution of
presuppositions, and underspecification.

Keywords: Logical Description Grammar, underspecification, discourse theory