A computer-implemented technique is described for facilitating the creation of a language understanding (LU) component for use with an application. The technique allows a developer to select a subset of parameters from a larger set of parameters. The subset of parameters pertains to a LU scenario to be handled by the application. The larger set of parameters pertains to a plurality of LU scenarios handled by an already-existing generic LU model. The technique creates a constrained LU component that is based on the subset of parameters in conjunction with the generic LU model. At runtime, the constrained LU component interprets input language items using the generic LU model in a manner that is constrained by the subset of parameters that have been selected, to provide an output result. The technique also allows the developer to create new rules and/or supplemental models.