9. The machine of claim 7 , wherein the means for automatically defining the hierarchically organized grammar using the data from the plurality of knowledge sources comprises a means for automatically defining the grammar to determine transactions.
7. A machine comprising: a) a set of memories storing data from a plurality of knowledge sources; and b) a means for automatically defining a hierarchically organized grammar using the data from the plurality of knowledge sources, wherein the hierarchically organized grammar comprises: i) a lowest-level grammar comprising a vocabulary comprising words corresponding to natural language statements; and ii) one or more higher level grammars, wherein each higher level grammar comprises one or more elements provided by a grammar from the next lower level.