A Principle-based Parser for Foreign Language Training in German and Arabic

In this paper we discuss the design and implementation of a parser for German and Arabic, which is currently being used in a tutoring system for foreign language training. Computer-aided language tutoring is a good app�cation for testing the robustness and flexibility of a parsing system, since the input is usually ungrammatical in some way. Efficiency is also a concern, as tutoring applications typically run on personal computers; with the parser sharing memory with other components of the system. Our system is principle-based, which ensures a compact repre­ sentation, and improves portability, needed in order to extend the initial design from Getman to Arabic and (eventually) Spanish. Currently, the parser diagnoses agreement errors, case errors, selection errors, and some word order errors. The parser can handle simple and complex declara­ tives and questions, topicalisations, verb movement, relative clauses broad enough coverage to be useful in the design of real exercises and dialogues.