Semantics from Narrative: State of the Art and Future Prospects

Abstract

We study two aspects of information semantics: (i) collection of all relationships, (ii) tracking and spotting anomaly and change. The first is implemented by endowing all relevant information spaces with a Euclidean metric in a common projected space. The second is modelled by an induced ultrametric. A very general way to achieve a Euclidean embedding of different information spaces based on cross-tabulation counts (and from other input data formats) is provided by Correspondence Analysis. From there, induced ultrametric that we are particularly interested in takes a sequential e.g. temporal ordering of data into account. We employ such a perspective to look at narrative, the flow of thought and flow of language (Chafe). Following a review of approaches adopted in analysis of filmscript we look at how similar approaches can be applied to scholarly literature. We selected a number of articles from one theme area in order to study structure of narrative and to seek particularly interesting semantic elements. The articles selected deal with neuroimaging studies of visual awareness or other cognitive alternatives in early blind humans, all from journal, NeuroImage.