The Language Project Podcast

Computational Semantics: Interview with Professor Erk

July 18, 2022 Jay Mason Season 2
Computational Semantics: Interview with Professor Erk
The Language Project Podcast
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The Language Project Podcast
Computational Semantics: Interview with Professor Erk
Jul 18, 2022 Season 2
Jay Mason

Come join me as I speak with Professor Katrin Erk, a professor of Computational Linguistics at the University of Texas at Austin. We explore what sparked her initial interest in this field, as well as her specialty in computational semantics. We learn about the challenges of understanding the meaning of sentences, and how formal logical structures and machine learning can be very helpful in certain situations, but can't always handle more nuanced or longer stretches of text. I was especially intrigued by how Professor Erk illustrates these challenges through her research on how advice in various on-line forums can take on different and nuanced forms! 

Show Notes

Come join me as I speak with Professor Katrin Erk, a professor of Computational Linguistics at the University of Texas at Austin. We explore what sparked her initial interest in this field, as well as her specialty in computational semantics. We learn about the challenges of understanding the meaning of sentences, and how formal logical structures and machine learning can be very helpful in certain situations, but can't always handle more nuanced or longer stretches of text. I was especially intrigued by how Professor Erk illustrates these challenges through her research on how advice in various on-line forums can take on different and nuanced forms!