An Algebraic Approach to the German Sentence
Joachim Lambek, Anne Preller · 2001
Abstract: We attempt to show that the assignment of appropriate “types ” to German verbs will determine the correct word order in German sentences. The types are elements of the “free pregroup” generated by a partially ordered set of basic types, pregroups being a generalization of partially ordered groups. We look at a selection of direct and indirect sentences, including questions and subordinate clauses, but we hope that our method will extend beyond the fragment of German grammar investigated here.