From Tags to Topic Maps: Using Marked-up Hebrew Text to Discover Linguistic Patterns

The paper discusses a series of related techniques that prepare and transform raw linguistic data for advanced processing in order to unveil hidden grammatical patterns. It identifies XML as a suitable mark-up language to build an exploitable data bank of multi-dimensional data in the Hebrew text of the Old Testament. This concept is illustrated by tagging a transcription of Gen. 1:1-2:3 and manipulating this data bank. Transferring the data into a three-dimensional array allows advanced processing of the data in order to either confirm existing knowledge or to mine for new, yet undiscovered, linguistic features. Visualisation is discussed as a technique that enhances interaction between the human researcher and the computerised technologies supporting this process of knowledge creation. The empirical study is a small experiment that illustrates the viability and usefulness of the proposed expert devices as well as the benefits of applying information system techniques to linguistic databases.