computer program can reconstruct dead languages

[PhilHunt]

I don't know if any of you guys saw this news, but it might be of intrest to some: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21427896

Alternatively, you can go directly to the article at the National Academy of Sciences: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/02/05/1204678110

[zmjezhd]

I looked up Professor Klein at Cal (link) and was pleased to find some interesting software posted online that he has written or contributed to. The first one I tested and downloaded was a parser for English. It's pretty good.

[PhilHunt]

I'll have to try out that software when I have a moment.

The whole project sounds interesting, but, given that a programme hasn't yet been developed that can successfully make sense of the English language, I have some reservation. :)

I just read Dan Klein's CV. I particularly like his Personal section:
"I do actually exist outside of the CS/linguistics world. I took karate for most of my life, and then spent many years with ballroom dance. Competitive ballroom dance is just like karate, but with more music and less scowling. "

[Edwin F Ashworth]

Sounds like Bruce Lee making a comeback.