WO1999010856A1

WO1999010856A1 - Method of organizing words and their synonyms

Info

Publication number: WO1999010856A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/017759
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Gregory
Original assignee: Alan Gregory
Priority date: 1997-08-26
Filing date: 1998-08-25
Publication date: 1999-03-04
Also published as: CA2302206A1

Abstract

A method of organizing words using a dictionary, thesaurus, or book of synonyms and antonyms in which a person selects a concept word (C1, L1) and by looking up the concept words in the dictionary, or thesaurus or the book of synonyms and antonyms to develop lists of related words using the index of the thesaurus to find all places it occurs or extracting synonyms from the definitions in the dictionary. This method is described to be performed manually, but could be implemented using a computer.

Description

METHOD OF ORGANIZING WORDS AND THEIR SYNONYMS

This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119 based upon U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/056,961 filed August 26, 1997, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method of processing the information contained in a language database such as a dictionary or thesaurus, or an individual.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When circumstances make life distressful or when any person desires to improve himself, and finances and circumstances allow, various forms of intervention can be useful; however, a suitable intervener and/or financing may not be available.

Many attempts have been made to provide personal growth systems to help people transcend their current state or to provide an ongoing method of personal growth and self controlled intervention. Some methods that have been used include psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, EST, transactional analysis, transcendental meditation, and meditations of all types. The present invention provides a method for manipulating language data which may exist, for example, in well known databases to enable a person to function as his/her own intervener as a way of gaining control over his/her ability to accomplish this. The underlying premise of the system is that every person is a product of their inherited traits and that of which they are not aware; not, as most people think, that a person is a product of their inherited traits and that which they are aware and of their experiences. The invention provides a way of using the information contained in language databases to identify the missing items by using learned items as pointers to what is missing.

The invention reveals hidden meanings and offers insight into interpretation and meaning of both thought, speech and writing. It helps identify, clarify and bridge view point differentiation both individually and communicatively between people, connections among and between concepts, and identifies where someone is heading (for example, in a conversation in order to get what he/she wants) . A detailed description of the way in which the invention may be used to assist an individual in his/her reorganization may be found in Chapter 19 of "Learning as Self Organization" edited by Karl H. Pribram and Joseph King and published by Lawrence Erlbaum Associates (1996, pp 453- 475) and that article is hereby incorporated by reference.

IN THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a flow chart of a processing subroutine (R-l) which can be used with the invention;

Figure 2 is a flow chart showing how the Dictionary can be used to form a word map or track;

Figure 3 is a representative chart used for purposes of explanation to show how a word map is formed using the Dictionary;

Figure 4 is a hierarchical tree for purposes of explanation showing eleven possible levels for a selected concept word ("help");

Figure 5 is a graphic representation of the Thesaurus hierarchical tree showing language levels for eight classes;

Figure 6 is a graphical representation showing how the words within Class One of the Thesaurus are subdivided; Figure 7 is a flow chart showing how the Thesaurus is used to evaluate language information in accordance with the invention;

Figure 8 is a matrix for the word "help" as it can be developed using the Thesaurus; and

Figure 9 is a chart of intelligence levels. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides various steps for processing the language information which appears in conventional language databases such as a dictionary, thesaurus or book of synonyms and antonyms . The purpose of these unique processing steps is to enable a person to gain insight into any desired or undesired characteristic or quality, both mental and physical. The processing according to the invention leads to the creation of a word map containing the concepts that lead to a particular basic characteristic or quality (known as simplexes) or which are the consequences of such characteristic or quality (known as complexes) . In accordance with the invention, the selected concept word is identified by any of a number of procedures described below. That concept word is then located in the index of the Thesaurus and the words listed beneath the concept word placed in numerical order based on their location in the thesaurus. The words within the lowest location number in the Thesaurus are then identified and the words within the point number preceding the concept word (the simplexes) and the words subsequent to the concept word (complexes) are identified. The process is then repeated for the word at the next lowest location number and so forth.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention, reference is made herein to three specific English language databases. These are as follows:

1. Funk and Wagnall's Standard Handbook of Synonyms Antonyms and Prepositions (Fernald, James C. 1947; referred to as "the Handbook")

2. Websters Third New International Dictionary, Philip Growth, Editor (1972) D&C Merriam Publishing Company (referred to as "the Dictionary"); and 3. Roget's International Thesaurus, 4^th Edition, revised by Robert L. Chapman (1977; referred to as "the Thesaurus" ) .

The principles of the invention also apply to languages other than English and to databases other than the databases identified above.

The Dictionary is a database which represents the internal collective map of learned experiences in the form of logistics indicating how a person's mind functions if all of the textual components were embodied in one perfected person. This would represent the combined perfected mapping of how people think. It is useful in determining (logically) what learned concepts (as well as missing or misunderstood concepts) cause people to say what they say and to think what they think. It is the missing, unlearned, unformalized condition existing within the area of what people have not learned that confirms the notion about people being who they are because of what they do not know. It is also valuable in learning about charged words and how to discharge them, and about the effect of the hidden implications, subtleties, causation and nuances (to name a few) . The invention provides a method for processing information within the dictionary so that the user can discover the programmed differences between him/herself and the people he/she ordinarily relates with as well as the world at large. It further can be used to help a person adjust and exchange ideas (self reorganization) by accessing the simpler terms in any hierarchal sequence of concepts. The Thesaurus represents the most complete word map database of combined cognitive experiential memory that can be found in normal American English based logistics. It is limited only by what is known in the collective societal memory, i.e., what is known by any or all men. In accordance with the invention, the information contained within the Thesaurus is used to identify how a particular person's thinking fits into the world's processes and how a person can better work within his/her own personal environment . The third database, the Handbook of

Synonyms/Antonyms, is useful for interrelating the Dictionary and Thesaurus and for fine tuning (or reversing) information derived from these databases in accordance with the invention. The invention is related to the processing of information relating to language. The starting point for the various procedures resides first in the identification of a concept about which the individual is dissatisfied, or seeks more information, seeks specific missing information, or seeks paths or pointers to other missing or previously not realized or learned information. The identification of this concept by a word is the first step in the procedure and that word is referred to hereinafter as the "concept word" . A concept word may describe a trait that a person would like to have more or less of. It may be an opinion about someone who is either liked or disliked; or it may be a word that one likes or dislikes having done to him or her. It may be a word that a person would like to find out about what his/her internal programming might look like for that word; or a word which a person thinks describes him/her to a "T" . A concept word may also be a word which is "charged" such as the words "manipulate", "stupid", "ignorant".

The invention provides essentially two basic processing steps which involve the use of the Dictionary and the Thesaurus databases. In addition, there are certain preprocessing steps which are useful in practicing the invention. Prior to describing in detail the steps used in accordance with the invention to process data from the Dictionary and Thesaurus the preprocessing steps are first explained. Preprocessing Step F-1 (Familiarity)

This preprocessing step confirms, supports and expands familiarity with a concept word. It can be used at any step in the process where further clarification or familiarity is required or desired. The process is as follows :

1. Select concept word.

2. Using the Index of Synonyms in the Handbook, locate all synonyms for the concept word. Locate a word in the body of the text (in page number order) to see if the concept at that location appears germane to expanding familiarity of the concept word.

3. Using the Index of Antonyms in the Handbook, locate all of the antonyms for the concept word. Locate the word in the body of the text (in page number order) examining both the accompanying antonyms and the corresponding discussion paragraphs to see if the concept at that location appears germane to expanding familiarity of the concept word.

Preprocessing Step 2 (R-l) Resolution

This preprocessing step is useful in helping one remember that which he/she has forgotten. Preprocessing step R-l can be performed if necessary or desirable to clarify and/or expand a concept. A flow chart for R-l is shown in Figure 1. The procedure is as follows :

1. Select concept word.

2. Using the Index of Antonyms in the Handbook, identify the major antonym heading under which the concept word appears.

3. In the body of the Handbook, find the major heading identified from the Antonym Index. Locate the paragraph marked "antonyms" for the concept word found in the Antonym Index. 4. Identify the synonyms listed under the major heading. The discussion paragraphs should be read to stimulate recognition of the activity needed for continuity. Choose the concept word or words which identifies the element (s) lost sight of and which is or are needed to be developed or increased in order for the undesired trait to become relatively minimized.

5. If the item(s) under the major headings from the first page number provides a solution to the problem the process is complete. If the solution does not appear in the first page number item, proceed to the second page number listing and repeat step 4. The process may be repeated until the solution appears. 6. If the concept word selected in step 1 does not appear in the Index of Antonyms , then look for the synonym in the Index of Synonyms. Identify the major synonym heading under which the concept word appears.

7. Locate the identified synonym heading in the body of the Handbook and then identify its antonyms at the end of that section. These antonyms are what is needed to stimulate the recognition of the activity needed for continuity (mental balance) .

8. If the word under the major heading from the first page number provides a solution, the process is complete. If it does not provide a solution, then proceed to the second page number listing and repeat steps 6 and 7 until the solution appears.

If neither the antonym nor the synonym appear in the Handbook, the Dictionary may be used to look up the concept word and the preprocessing procedure R-l performed for a new concept word as identified in the Dictionary.

Preprocessing Step 3 (R-2) Redirection A concept word may represent something such as behavior, attitude or even physical attribute of which one wants more. Preprocessing step R-l is useful in helping this and is useful for increasing the desired quality which can lead to disappearance of an undesired quality. There are, however, times when there is a concept of which one would want less. In these circumstances, preprocessing step R-2 is essential. The process is as follows: 1. Select a concept word representing the attitude or behavior of which you want less. Preprocessing step F-1 may be performed for concept clarification and/or expansion. 2. Using the Index of Antonyms in the Handbook, identify the major antonym heading under which the concept word appears .

3. In the body of the Handbook, find the major heading identified from the Antonym Index. Locate the paragraph marked "antonym" for the concept word found in the Antonym Index.

4. Read the synonyms listed under the major heading. Read the discussion paragraphs to identify which activity, attitude or behavior would be the opposite of the undesired activity, attitude or behavior. Invoking behaviorally the habit of the replacement activity or attitude is what is needed to overshadow the less than desired trait so it becomes relatively minimized.

5. If the items under the major heading from the first page number provides a solution to the problem, the process is complete. If a solution does not appear, then proceed to the second page number listing and repeat the process until a solution appears.

6. If the concept word identified in Step 1 does not appear in the Index of Antonyms, then look for the concept word in the Index of Synonyms .

7. Identify the major synonym heading under which the concept word appears .

8. Identify that word in the body of the Handbook and then immediately look at the end of that section for its antonyms. These antonyms are what are needed to overshadow the undesired trait so it becomes relatively minimized.

9. If the items under the major heading from the first page number provide a solution to the problem the process is complete. If a solution does not appear in the first page number, then proceed to the second page number listing and repeat the process until a solution appears. 10. When neither the antonym nor the synonym appear, look up the concept word in the dictionary and repeat the process using a substitute definition.

The Dictionary

A flow chart which shows the way in which information contained within the Dictionary is processed in accordance with the invention is illustrated in Figure 2. It is fundamental to the invention that what is not known (or recognized) about a concept word being explored will interfere with an individual's behavioral ability to actively move along the cognitive direction of the concept word. The invention produces what is missing (most often expressing itself in the desire level being low) for a given concept to express or manifest its behavioral potential. The invention builds a word map incorporating every optional definitive word in the database, thereby creating an ultimate choice matrix. It uses an organized system (catalogued, alphabetized) and creates a reorganized guide to its internal which is otherwise hidden database structure from cognitive view.

As shown in Figure 2, the concept word may reflect a problem or it may reflect a solution or a desired trait. If the concept word is a problem, preprocessing step R-l is used to identify the opposite concept which then becomes the new concept word to be located in the dictionary. The steps are as follows:

1. Select a concept word.

2. Using the Dictionary, identify all the definitions of the selected concept-word. This will generate a choice/option method for selecting the next most definitive concept-word.

3. The first chosen concept -word may be considered the equivalent of a President in a corporate chart, and each of the definitions Vice Presidents. One definition is selected for investigation based upon the user's own system's needs, looking closely at both what about that definition most closely aligns with his position on the concept-word and how the chosen definition relates to the concept-word. This is the first step in the decision tree path.

4. One of the defining concept-words (a Vice President) is selected and its definitions identified.

Again, each definition produced can be chosen so as to select the one that comes closest to the user's understanding of the concept-word defined. The definition at this level may be considered a contributing Assistant Vice President (to the president) . Again the user decides (a) what about that definition most closely aligns with his position about the Vice President concept-word, and (b) how the chosen definition relates to the concept-word (President) . This is the second step in the decision tree path.

5. This process is continued until one of the following occurs (usually requiring from ten to fifteen levels) : a. A natural (usable) conclusion. This occurs when the user is satisfied that the

"discharge" or missing elements regarding the concept-word have been identified. b. A live end. The user may find that the track is leading off in a direction seemingly unrelated to the initial concept-word. It is possible that this is a necessary switch to a new branch to show what is at the base or root of the tree . The user may decide to follow it to see where it leads. Otherwise, the user should return to the point at which the definitions started to move away from the line that was being followed and another definition is selected and tracked. If there are no more definitions at a particular level, the user may either track up one more step (i.e.: up to an Assistant Vice President from a Manager) or look to see if the track located is, in fact, complete and provides the requisite understand for filling-in the missing unlearned or not experienced elements required for completeness or "discharging" the original concept -word. Once a natural conclusion is obtained, see Step 7. c. An open end. The user may also find that a track has taken him to a place to which he does not relate. There is a relationship to be found there, but it may not be relevant to his system (his "discharging" or gap- filling process) at this time. The track should be traced back to the point at which the definitions started to move away from the line being followed and another definition selected and tracked similar to a maze processes. If there are no more definitions at a particular level, the user may either track back (up) one more step (i.e.: up to an Assistant Vice President from a Manager) or look to see if the track found is, in fact, complete and provides the requisite understanding for filling-in the missing unlearned or not experienced elements required for completeness or "discharging" the original concept-word. If a track takes on a technical nature, such as dealing with terms of mathematics or physics, again track back up to the point of divergence and re- track. Once a natural conclusion is obtained, see step 7. d. A dead end. This is an improbable occurrence; however, if the user has tracked up and down a system and found nothing to which he can relate, or all the tracks lead to technical terms, or they all have only one definition, then either: i. A self-generated synonym of the initial concept-word may be chosen; or, ii. If no concept-word in vocabulary system is satisfactory, then a synonym listed in the dictionary at the place nearest the concept-word may be used. Start the process from Step 1 using this new concept-word as the President and perform Steps 1 through 7.

6. During the mapping process, there may be concept-words that are unfamiliar either on their face or in the presented context. These concept-words are important because they themselves may be "the point," they may be a marker, or they may be concept-words that help clarify the context. Often these are the very words that "discharge" the concept-word or one of the underlying levels. If such a concept-word appears, perform F-1 as a pre-processor routine if necessary for concept-word clarification or expansion.

7. This has created a word map or wisdom tree about the concept-word selected at the beginning. There are many such trees, but the one chosen by the user is the one that will help his system adjust its missing pieces to incorporate these ideas and fill-in its missing elements as to this tree.

The levels have names and help identify how far one needs to go (minimally twelve) . The concept-word is the manifest level (concept-word 1, level 1, expressed as Cl ,

LI) , and the first chosen definition of that concept-word is its explanation or explication (Cl, L2) . The concept-word explored to further investigate the level two concept-word is the implication (Cl, L3) of the concept-word. Level four is called connotation/denotation (Cl, L4) ; level five the subtle (Cl, L5) ; level six the causal (Cl, L6); level seven the probabili ty, which includes the range from possible to improbable (Cl, L7) ; level eight the figment (Cl, L8) ; level nine the nuance (Cl L,9); level ten the fini te (Cl, L10) ; level eleven the genesis (potential genius level) ; level twelve the unsounded (Cl, L12) , the place where the concept- word's vibrations are forming. There are deeper levels, and there are frequently sub- levels, which is why it can take 15 or more concept-words to arrive at the root position, the clear simplex (es) of the concept-word. Figure 9 lists these levels of intelligence.

In relation to the concept-word, this is the "sounding board" tree and this is the part of the system that reorganizes the dictionary into a useful database as opposed to a catalogue. However, note that the first chosen definition, the explanation or explication becomes its own concept-word, as well (Cl, L2 and C2 , LI) . Now, the chosen definition of the explanation or explication concept-word is both the concept-word' s implication (Cl, L3 ) as well as the explanation or explication of the concept-word chosen to explain the concept-word (C2, L2) . Further, it is yet another concept-word on its own (C3, LI) . This is the part of the system that creates the ultimate matrix.

By way of example, Figure 3 represents the beginning of a word map using the concept word "help". The three definitions of "help" in the second level are "assistance", "support" and "remedy". Each of these words provide additional definitions in the third level as detailed in Figure 3.

Figure 4 shows a mapping track which might be produced using the invention starting with the concept word "help" . Each word in the track may be deemed to be at a level with respect to the concept word or to be a concept word itself. For example, the word "help" is concept word 1, level 1. The word "assistance" may be deemed to be concept word 1, level 2 or concept word 2, level 1 and so forth. After the track has been developed, the word at the bottom of the track ("regard") may be considered the simplest of the terms (referred to hereinafter as a "simplex") . It may be considered to be the beginning because it was arrived at deductively although the direction in actual internal use is inductive. After the track has been developed, the effect that the last word has on the next and so forth up through the concept can be seen as obvious and directly usable for problem resolution (among other things) .

The Thesaurus The Thesaurus is used to identify how a particular person fits into this world's processes; it is a depiction of how the world works, the order in which the world works, and how a person can better work within the world (his/her own external environment) . Figure 6 is a graphic representation of the

Thesaurus showing how the English language is divided into eight classes. Those eight classes are further subdivided by roman numerals, which in turn are subdivided by letters, numbers and point numbers which establish the working language levels.

Figure 7 is a graphical representation how one class, Class 1: Abstract Relations, is subdivided into roman numerals, letters, numbers and point numbers. All of the eight classes follow the same hierarchical tree structure. The arrangement or categorization of the words in the

Thesaurus is described in greater detail in the Thesaurus itself which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

A flow chart showing how the database represented by the Thesaurus is used to process information in accordance with the invention as shown in Figure 5. The following is a description of the process depicted in the flow chart.

1. Select a concept word. Preprocessing routine R-l may be performed to assist in this step. For purposes of explanation, it is assumed that the concept word is "help" . a. Optionally, perform F-1 as a preprocessor routine for concept clarification or expansion.

2. Locate the concept-word in the Index. 3. Generally, there will be words listed underneath the concept-word. For example: help n aid 785. ,01 assistant 787. .06 benefactor 942. ,01 remedy 687. ,01 servant 750. .02 serving 307. .10 staff 750. .11 subsidy 818. .08 v, aid 785. .11 do a favor 938. .12 do good 674. .10 facilitate 732, .06 prevent 730, .14 serve 750 .13 subsidize 818 .19

These words appear in alphabetical order with location numbers appearing after them. These numbers refer to the location of the word in the body of the book. Sort these words in numerical order, with the lowest number listed first. Thus:

help serving 307.10 do good 674.10 remedy 687.01 prevent 730.14 facilitate 732.06 servant 750.02 staff 750.11 serve 750.13 aid 785.01 aid 785.11 assistant 787.06 subsidy 818.08 subsidize 818.19 do a favor 938.12 benefactor 942.01

4. In the unlikely event that a concept word selected does not appear in the index, repeat step 1., above (thereby selecting an equivalent concept) .

5. If there is not more than one word listed under the concept word (i.e.: the concept word appears by itself with only a point reference number next to it) , proceed to step 6., below. 6. Identify for each word its Class, as listed in the "SYNOPSIS" at the beginning of the book. There are eight classes. Continuing with the example: help Two: Space serving 307.10

Seven: Volition do good 674.10 remedy 687.01 prevent 730.14 facilitate 732.06 servant 750.02 staff 750.11 serve 750.13 aid 785.01 aid 785.11 assistant 787.06 subsidiary 818.08 subsidize 818.19

Eight: Affections do a favor 938.12 benefactor 942.01

Figure 8 is a matrix of the word "help" according to this example containing the name of the class subdivisions, i.e. roman numerals, letters, numbers and point numbers . 7. Locate the concept-word at the location number listed next to the lowest number in the list

(307.10) . Identify the simplexes of the concept-word appearing before, and the complexes of the concept -word appearing after, the concept word within the point number. a. Identify the last word ("groaning board") of the point number previous to the point number under consideration (307.09). This word

("groaning board") is the controlling concept of all the words in the point number in which the concept-word appears (307.10). b. Identify the first word of all previous point numbers (307.1 - 307.33) within the Heading where the concept-word appears (307. EATING).

Each of these words, called "head words," influences the head words of all later point numbers. For example, the head word for

307.9 is "feast", for 307.10 "serving", for

307.11 "(manner of service) service", etc. c. Where the concept -word is also a head word or the influencing concept of a head word, the same system applies, noting that previous head words influence the concept-word, the concept-word influences the next head word, and so on. A concept-word appearing in such a location has slightly more weight attached to it than other words in the language and should be considered in this context . d. Where the concept-word is also a Heading, the final words of the previous Headings are the controlling words (a simplex) and words appearing in the point numbers of the Heading are the complexes of the Heading. Concept- words appearing as Headings have slightly more weight and power within the societal system than head words, controlling concepts, or other concept-words . However, each word has a control word preceding it and is the controlling concept of the word it precedes; thus, all words are interdependent. The arrangement in the thesaurus shows that extreme concepts (generally opposites, such as Intrinsicality -- Extrinsicality) are listed following each other, and moderating, continuously opposing, or merely continuous words are listed between such extremities (such as Insufficiency -- Sufficiency -- Redundance; Desire -- Indifference -- Aversion; or, Beginning -- Middle -- End) , it is mandatory to look back to the part of such a sequence to find the controlling concept (s) contextually relevant to the concept-word. 8. Next, locate the group of words within the next Heading number in the list from Step 3.b (674) . Locate the simplexes of the concept-word appearing before the concept-word ("help") and the complexes of the concept-word appearing after the concept-word. Again, each simplex acts as a control word for the concept-word.

9. Now look at the Headings (673: UNIMPORTANCE and 675: BADNESS) on each side of the Heading (674) where the concept-word appears, always looking for a simplex before and complex after in order to locate where the concept word fits into the societal map.

10. Repeat this process from Step 6. for the second word ("do good") on the list generated in Step 3 . b. Continue this process for each of the words on the list generated in Step 3 . b in the order in which they appear in the body of the Thesaurus, from the lowest number to the highest .

11. Recognition of a useful completion occurs within the causal nature of the words that preceded the concept-word from the words within the system.

This process uses the thesaurus to depict the order and the way things appear and occur in this society in the order they work and in the order a person integrates with this society. The order is displayed in hierarchical form and as it logically appears to, and is used by, mind and body to affect perception, thinking, behavior (both involuntary and voluntary), feelings and emotions. The order also depicts the probability of how all things work in this society and how (and where) one can choose to fit in with this society. The simplexes this process locates are the causes of all things ahead of which they appear; the complexes are consequences, effects, affects or events that will result from the performance or existence of the simplex. Used in their proper order and proper proportion (all identified by this system) , the process needed to achieve any complex (result) can be identified. Example

The following is an actual, simple example how the processing of information contained in the thesaurus and dictionary can be used to assist in personal reorganization and growth.

In a personal relationship between A and B, despite having much in common, B informed A "something in your personality is causing havoc in me and I can't go on this way" . "A" did not understand how his behavior could cause such an extreme reaction as havoc.

The word "havoc" was located in the index of the Thesaurus. Beneath "havoc" were "evil (675.3)", and "destruction (693.1)"

The heading for class 675 is "Badness". In the point number 675.3 the word "mischief" is one of the simplexes of "havoc" . "A" realized that he had a reputation as a mischief maker and, therefore, was able to realize that mischief was the causal concept of havoc. "A" was able to realize that it was his habit of teasing which resulted in the mischief. When the teasing was discontinued, the mischief disappeared and with it the threat of "B" experiencing havoc .

Significantly, when the concept word havoc is mapped or tracked using the dictionary, the following results (the asterisks represent the word which was further defined in the illustrated track) : HAVOC

I. DESTROY

II. DEVASTATE

III. DISORDER IV. GREAT*CONFUSION

A. CHAGRINED

B. DISCONCERTED C.*DISCOMFORT

1. DISCOURAGE

2. DISTRESS

3. *ANNOYANCE a. HARASS b. IRRITATE c. PROVOKE d . *VEXING i . BAFFLE ii. TANTALIZE iii. **TEASE -ANNOY

-CRUEL

-PROVOKE

-TO TEAR TO PIECES The map uncovers simplexes for "tease" as well as the complexes or consequences, i.e. "annoy", "cruel", "provoke", "to tear to pieces".

The process described herein can be performed manually or by computer. If done by computer, the three selected databases, i.e. the Handbook, Dictionary and Thesaurus would be stored and accessed by way of computer program with the computer providing a print-out or screen of the hierarchical map for each desired concept word. In processing information contained in the Dictionary, it is feasible to form a word map on a numerical basis, for example, by selecting in every case the first definition for a given word and then using that definition as the basis for the next step in the mapping procedure.

Claims

CLAIM ; 1. A method of processing language information appearing in a thesaurus, comprising selecting a concept word, locating the concept word in the index of the thesaurus, placing the words listed beneath the concept word in the index of the thesaurus in numerical order based on their location numbers. identifying the word(s) in the thesaurus at the lowest of the location numbers, and identifying the words within said lowest location number which precede said concept word.

2. A method of processing language information according to claim 1, including the step of identifying the words within said lowest location number which follow said concept number .

3. A method of processing language information appearing in a dictionary, comprising selecting a concept word, locating the definitions of the concept word in the dictionary, selecting one of the definitions to define a first level of the concept word and locating the definitions of said selected definition in the dictionary; and continuing the process to prepare a map of the concept word for at least twelve levels.