The models of language that underlie most programming and query language experimentation are generally too weak to deal adequately with the linguistic processes involved. A more powerful model can be derived from linguistic theory, that supplements the formal description of languages by describing their communicative aspects as well. Such a model is outlined in the paper and its components are exemplified by corresponding phenomena in natural languages and programming languages.

--Author’s Abstract

The model contains no new insights on language, nor does its designer claim that it does, but it does extend the descriptive apparatus of linguistics to programming and query languages. Linguistic theory is introduced, and its terminology is explained quite well.

The model is presented as having several components: a linguistic system, a cognitive system, processes, pragmatics, and some derived categories. Most components of the model are exemplified by crosswise confronting two natural languages (English and either French or German) and two formal languages (PL/I and either APL or SQL).

The author concludes, “The problem of designing user-friendly languages may not necessarily be solved by keeping the syntax simple and the number of keywords low, rather, the model suggests to reduce the distance between the conceptualizations of the prospective users and the concepts underlying the structure and the keywords of the language to be used.”

The paper includes a rather thorough review of the literature with over 30 citations. It serves, indeed, as a framework for investigating language-mediated interaction with machines.