This page introduces you to further smoothing techniques for Language Models. We also discuss how as part of a noisy channel model, language models can contribute to a variety of NLP tasks. It consists of:
- three videos of short lectures. They cover:
- More Smoothing
- LMs and Smoothing: Further Challenges
- The Noisy Channel Model
- some required reading from Jurafsky and Martin
- a quiz that tests your understanding of the material presented here.
Please do the required reading, and attempt the quiz. If there is anything you don't understand, then please ask questions in the lecture or on piazza.
Lecture 7 Slides: Whole!
7a: More Smoothing
- Slides: 07a_slides.pdf
7b: LMs and Smoothing: Further Challenges
- Slides: 07b_slides.pdf
7c: The Noisy Channel Model
- Slides: 07c_slides.pdf
Recommended Reading
J&M 3.5--3.9 (2nd edition: 4.6-4.7) and Appendix B (2nd edition 5.9--5.10)
NOTE: The abbreviation J&M refers to the textbook:
Dan Jurafsky and James H. Martin, Speech and Language Processing.
When we specify 2nd edition, we are referring to the version of the book that was published by Pearson International in 2008.
When we specify 3rd edition, then we will supply links to the drafts of the relevant parts of that book (since the third editiion isn't published yet, but the current draft is available here).
Quiz 7: More Smoothing and the Noisy Channel Model
These questions are designed to test your understanding of the above course content; doing this quiz does not contribute to your overall grade. Some questions require a text answer. You can ask for formative feedback on these from your tutor or on piazza. Other questions are multiple choice or they require a numeric answer: you will get immediate feedback for these. Please don't attempt this quiz until you have acquainted yourself with this lecture and the required reading.
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