Natural Language Generation of Museum Object Descriptions based on User Model

Natural Language Generation of Museum Object Descriptions based on User Model Hsiao Wei Chen, Mary Grace Lim, Patricia Bea Perez, Joanna Patricia Reyes, and Nathalie Rose Lim De La Salle University- Manila {hsiao_wei_chen, mary_graces, lil_nawty_gurl13, snowdrop_106}@yahoo.com, and limn@dlsu.edu.ph Abstract. Natural Language Generation (NLG) techniques can be applied in generating virtual documents dynamically using information from a database (Dale et al, 1999). One of the applications of NLG techniques to generate documents dynamically is the web-based interactive virtual museum, VIGAN. NLG is used to generate the descriptions of the objects in a virtual museum dynamically based on the profile and interests of the visitor. The focus of the research is on incorporating user’s interest, age group, and visit history in the generation of museum object descriptions. The descriptions do not vary only on user’s profile but also in lexicalization. Facts are not only in describing the objects, but also in describing Ilocano personalities. User Acceptance Testing proved that object descriptions do vary based on age groups, category of interest, and lexicalization. They commented that the descriptions are easy to understand, the user interface is user friendly and the suggested objects are appropriate. Keywords: Natural Language Generation, Dynamic User Modeling, Knowledge Representation, Virtual Museums 1. Introduction With the emergence of the Internet, lack of information is no longer a major problem most users face. The vast amount of information available is overwhelming and it is important to hide information that is irrelevant to the users. One example that provides vast information to the people is museums. A museum is an institution providing services—acquiring, conserving, researching, communicating, and exhibiting objects for education and enjoyment (ICOM, 2001). Some museums are made available online through virtual museums so that more people can have access to the information provided by the museum.In order to improve the services that virtual museums provide, they should be able to determine which information is most relevant to a particular user and object information should be presented in such a way that the user can understand (Bandelli, 1999). Similar to internet users, visitors of museums have different expectations, needs and behaviors, and it is important to address these differences. Ambeth Ocampo, a columnist at a notable Philippine newspaper, says that, “While I appreciate the educational task of museums, I would like to think that all our best efforts are still not enough to get the youth into museums and keep them returning… The problem lies not with a museum but a child’s first encounter with it” (Ocampo, 2007). Ocampo also says that for many college students who had to endure a grade school trip to the museum, going there a second or third time is considered a cruel and unusual punishment. This mind-set is not the fault of the museum; it is the fault of the teacher or museum guide who did not infect the students with a sense of discovery and appreciation of our 141 22nd Pacific Asia Conference on Language, Information and Computation, pages 141–150 past. Thus, improving the …

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