1. A method for generating a parse chart for a sequence of input symbols in accordance with an abbreviated representation of a grammar, said method comprising: storing the abbreviated representation of the grammar as a plurality of finite-state automata, each finite-state automaton of the plurality of finite-state automata corresponding to a rule of the grammar; receiving the sequence of input symbols; deriving chart edges from the sequence of input symbols in accordance with said abbreviated representation of the grammar in accordance with said plurality of finite-state automata; and storing said chart edges in the parse chart.