What is Mathematical Linguistics?
Mathematical Linguistics is the study of mathematical structures and
methods that are of importance to the study of language. It generally
connotes work that is more theoretical than much of what constitutes computational
linguistics, but it includes work at every level of linguistic structure. It also
involves applications of both continuous and discrete maths, as well as statistics.
What is MOL?
MOL is the
ACL special interest group dedicated to the study of Mathematical Linguistics,
although the organization actually predates its incorporation into ACL. We organize bi-annual meetings at which papers are presented,
that typically result in a
special journal issue or book. In recent years, as the main ACL annual meetings
have shifted in their orientation towards empirical optimization and evaluation, MOL has expanded its mandate from supporting the study of
classical problems in the formal language complexity and learnability of human languages to a wide range of theoretical topics relating to
language and computation.
How do I become a member?
MOL has never had a formal membership roll, nor does it charge dues apart from the costs of attending its meetings.
Submissions to the bi-annual meeting are peer-reviewed prior to their acceptance for presentation, and authors of
accepted papers are enrolled in the
MOL mailing list, the principal means of
communication for the society, including the election of MOL's officers. But it is also possible to be added
to the MOL mailing list simply by contacting the
list maintainer.
Acknowledgements
MOL owes its continued existence entirely to the efforts of volunteers within the research community, who
organize its meetings, contribute papers, and edit its proceedings, to whom we express our sincere thanks.
