Word segmentation based on database semantics in NChiql.

In this paper a novel word-segmentation algorithm is presented to delimit words in Chinese natural language queries in NChiql system, a Chinese natural language query interface to databases. Although there are sizable literatures on Chinese segmentation, they cannot satisfy particular requirements in this system. The novel word-segmentation algorithm is based on the database semantics, namely Semantic Conceptual Model (SCM) for specific domain knowledge. Based on SCM, the segmenter labels the database semantics to words directly, which eases the disambiguation and translation (from natural language to database query) in NChiql. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]