TOWARDS AN ARABIC UPPER MODEL: A PROPOSAL

ABSTRACT. This work introduces the notion of a computational resource for organising knowledge developed for natural language realisation, the Upper Model. The links between the upper model and the domain knowledge from one side and between the upper model and surface realisation from the other side are briefly presented. Systemic functional grammar, a typical grammar to be interfaced to the upper model for surface realisation is discussed. Then, some Arabic characteristics, mainly Arabic grammar, is introduced. A limited number of areas where Arabic and English grammars differ are listed. The need of adapting the current upper model to support natural language generation for Arabic is highlighted along with the need for developing an Arabic systemic grammar. Procedures for future research work in the field are described. 1