iCTRL:: Intensional conformal text representation language

A new compact and homogeneous symbolism is introduced to achieve a more general and exact representation of natural language texts. Traditional first-order and intensional logic cannot cope with numerous natural language phenomena such as the large variety of modalities, satisfactory interpretation of iterative application of modal operators or certain modelling problems like one-to-one sentence-formula mapping. The CTRL/iCTRL formalism can model them successfully and they are able to control many other different shades of meaning by applying only a minimal number of syntactic tools. The most profitable and beneficial Al application of the presented natural language syntax consistent knowledge representation technique is automated knowledge acquisition: computer-aided textual data base generation and logical inference based information retrieval. CTRL/iCTRL applicability is demonstrated by various illustrative examples including a transparent graphical interpretation analogous to Frege's graph language that help clarify new concepts and exemplify partial inappropriateness of traditional logical language. The CTRL/iCTRL paradigm is based on a novel and interesting synthesis of the two traditional logic schools, the Stoic and the Peripatetic school, refuting a century long scientific prejudice against the latter stated to be completely outworn. An interesting issue of this analysis points out that expressing subordination unconsciously and simply by co-ordination causes a typical restriction of meaning in classical logic. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.