SmILE Semantic Information Systems and Language Engineering Group

Semanta and the sMail Conceptual Framework are now online!

Semanta (Semantic Email Assistant) is a group of add-ins/extensions to popular existing Mail User Agents (in development). Based on the sMail (Semantic Email) Conceptual Framework, it supports the user with the management of workflows taking place in email conversations. The sMail Conceptual Framework applies Speech Act Theory to email communication processes, eventually giving a formal structure and semantics to ad-hoc workflows which are characteristic of email communication. The framework includes the following conceptual models:

1. Speech Act Model - Defines concepts which best represent various implicit speech acts associated with explicit text segments.
2. Speech Act Process Model - Outlines the expected effect of individual speech acts on the communication participants.
3. Speech Act Process Flow Model - Outlines the dynamic behaviour of ad-hoc email communication process workflows over time.

The first two models are encapsulated within the sMail Ontology. Semanta uses this ontology to support the user with the semi-automatic annotation of email content (supported by a Text Analytics service) and the automatic annotation of email thread data. The annotations are represented using Semantic Web technologies and invisibly transported alongside the message in the email headers. After annotating the first message in a thread, Semanta can then support the participants of the communication that ensues with the correct interpretation and handling of messages in the thread. For more information about Semanta (including demos of the prototype) and the underlying technology visit the respective websites from the SMILE projects/sub-projects page.