Womb grammars as a bio-inspired model for grammar induction

Abstract

Womb Grammars are a recently developed constraint-based framework designed for inducing the syntax of a human language from that of another, described in terms of properties [8]. They have been named by analogy to the generative power of human wombs, capable of engendering any race given appropriate input. In this article we integrate various facets of Womb Grammars from this bio-inspired viewpoint, and we extract from the various applications in which they have been used, the set of features and advantages that make them a unique tool among contemporary language processors. We also discuss extensions and limitations.