Route description using natural language generation technology

Abstract

This paper aims to solve the problems of generating natural language route description in Chinese way-finding systems, on the basis of datasets of geographical information systems and natural language generation technology. The techniques of deriving important information e.g. paths, roads, directions and landmarks from geographical information systems are discussed in detail. Through examples we describe the construction of linguistic knowledge base for route description including the categories of Chinese terms, grammar rules and syntax schemata. The experimental output indicates that there are no more distinguishable from human route description. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.