An important issue therefore is how the linearity of processing by humans can be accounted for. Finite-state devices are a type of formalism that has been studied extensively in mathematics and computer science. It is also known that they are incapable of treating certain linguistic constructions in full generality. But interestingly, at least some of the constructions that cannot be treated with finite-state devices are also difficult for humans. A further problem is posed by ambiguity.
Ambiguities also arise in certain structural configurations.
Both examples are taken from the Eindhoven corpus. In many contexts the unintended readings are unlikely or even ridiculous, but it is very difficult to spell out how information concerning the discourse, context, situation and knowledge of the world enforce a particular reading. Therefore, a computer program will come up with such ridiculous readings nonetheless. The phenomenon occurs very frequently for even the most innocent examples. For longer sentences, hundreds or even thousands of readings arise.