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970-0508 
Convergence Properties of a Gradual Learning Algorithm for Harmonic Grammar
Authors 
Paul Boersma University of Amsterdam <paul.boersma@uva.nl> [Details]
Joe Pater UMass Amherst <pater@linguist.umass.edu> [Details]
Length 
37 pp.
Files 
 PDF 1314kb
Abstract 


This paper investigates a gradual on-line learning algorithm for Harmonic Grammar. By adapting existing convergence proofs for perceptrons, we show that for any nonvarying target language, Harmonic-Grammar learners are guaranteed to converge to an appropriate grammar, if they receive complete information about the structure of the learning data. We also prove convergence when the learner incorporates evaluation noise, as in Stochastic Optimality Theory. Computational tests of the algorithm show that it converges quickly. When learners receive incomplete information (e.g. some structure remains hidden), tests indicate that the algorithm is more likely to converge than two comparable Optimality-Theoretic learning algorithms.
Keywords 
 Harmonic Grammar, Stochastic OT, Noisy HG, perceptron
Area 
 Learnability, Computation, Language Acquisition
Type 
 Manuscript
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