Current projects

RECORD: Knowledge Representation in Dynamic Networks (2012-2014)

The main objective of the research project, RECORD, is to increase knowledge of the Environment by developing new forms of knowledge representation in the EcoLexicon knowledge base. Such representations are based on theories of cognition that facilitate technological application and transfer as well as knowledge acquisition by the user. For this purpose, the information in the knowledge base will be contextualized, following the analysis and definition of different user profiles as well as the validation of of its conceptual design by a neurolinguistic pilot study. This contextualization will be reflected in the definition and application of constraints to the following modules of EcoLexicon: (i) conceptual networks; (ii) graphical and linguistic resources; (iii) terminological definitions. New languages will also be added and the multilingual corpus of specialized texts will be semantically tagged as well as expanded and classified according to pragmatic parameters. The tagging of the corpus will be carried out with a view to developing semi-automatic knowledge extraction methods. EcoLexicon will also be made availible to a larger range of potential users through the creation of API web services that facilitate integrated data access. Finally Linked Data technology will be applied in order to facilitate the transfer of environmental knowledge to the scientific community.

Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. Code: FFI2011-22397

Project leader: Dr Pamela Faber

VARIMED: Denominative variation in medicine: Multilingual multimodal tool for research and knowledge dissemination (2012-2014)

Denominative variation is a key element in medical communication both at the intralinguistic level (amigdalitis-sore throat) and at the interlinguistic level (keyhole surgery--laparoscopia). A close study of the phenomenon reveals cultural and cognitive patterns typical of a certain group of speakers in a given language community. The objectives of VARIMED are the following: (1) to create a corpus of medical texts in English and Spanish multimodal communication contexts; (ii) to register and classify terminological variants in English and Spanish and study their semantic and pragmatic features from the perspective of situated cognition; (iii) to carry out a series of experimental studies that will provide insights into the phenomenon of variation in relation to the cognitive processes of lexical production and comprehension; (iv) to generate a multifunctional and reusable lexical resource in the field of health care with image support for linguistic research, translation, and technical writing for knowledge dissemination.

Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. Code: FFI2011-23120

Project leader: Dr Maribel Tercedor

Past projects

ECOSISTEMA: Single Information Space for Frame-based Environmental Data and Thesaurus
(2008-2011)

The main objective of the research project Single Information Space for Frame-based Environmental Data and Thesaurus is the conceptual representation of the specialized domain of the Environment in the form of a visual thesaurus of specialized concepts organized in a constellation of interrelated dynamic knowledge frames. This multilingual (Spanish-English-German-French) resource, which will include various access modes, will generate a series of multimedia products that provide information about the Environment for different user profiles (e.g. experts of different nationalities, writers of scientific books and articles, university students, tourism operators, translators, and interpreters). These resources will increase knowledge of the environment, a specialized domain of great interest because of its impact on the lives of people and society in general The terminological tools generated will facilitate knowledge transfer and application with a view to formulating, implementing, and evaluating new environmental policies. They will also facilitate the exchange of specialized knowledge within Spain as well as other European countries.

Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. Code: FFI2008-06080.C03-01/FILO.

MarcoCosta: Multilingual Specialized Knowledge Frames for Integrated Coastal Management
(2006-2009)

The main objective of the research project Multilingual Specialized Knowledge Frames for Integrated Coastal Management was the conceptual representation of the specialized domain of integrated coastal management in the form of a visual thesaurus of specialized concepts organized in a constellation of interrelated dynamic knowledge frames. This multilingual (Spanish- English-German) resource, which included various access modes, generated a series of multimedia products that provide information about the Andalusian coastline for different user profiles (e.g. experts in environmental studies, writers of scientific books and articles, university students, translators, and even tourists). These resources increase knowledge of the coastal areas and their ecosystems in terms of risk, elasticity, thresholds, and recovery and evolution. The terminological tools generated facilitate knowledge transfer and application with a view to formulating, implementing and evaluating new coastal management policies. They also facilitate the exchange of specialized knowledge within Spain as well as other European countries.

Funded by the Andalusian Regional Government. Code: PO6-HUM-01489.

PuertoTerm: Coastal engineering: Knowledge representation and the generation of terminological resources
(2003-2006)

Coastal engineering: Knowledge representation and the generation of terminological resources was a research project whose principal objective was the generation of terminological resources for the representation of specialized concepts. The principal products contemplated within the context of this research were the creation of specialized trilingual glossaries, dictionaries, and multimedia knowledge bases related to the domain of coastal engineering. The data categories used for the representation of these concepts were compatible with ISO norm 12620, and the languages used, Spanish, English, and German. This project facilitated knowledge exchange between European countries and contributed to the standardization of the designations of concepts in different languages, as well as geographic varieties of the same language (peninsular Spanish and South American Spanish). Three important areas in the elaboration of terminological resources were the following: (1) the conceptual organization underlying any knowledge resource; (2) the multidimensional nature of conceptual representations; (3) knowledge extraction through the use of multilingual corpora related to the domain of coastal engineering.

Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science. Code: BFF2003-04720.