[Ltg] HAIL Seminar (10th October): Dr Scott Nowson, Macquarie University

[Andrew Lampert]

                      H.A.I.L. Seminar series
                          CSIRO ICT Centre
                   http://www.ict.csiro.au/HAIL/

                                AND

                              SALS-SIG
        Sydney Area Language and Speech Special Interest Group
            http://www.clt.mq.edu.au/Events/SALS-SIG.html


Title:          The Language of Weblogs:
                    A study of genre and individual differences

Speaker:        Dr Scott Nowson
                Centre for Language Technology
                Macquarie University

Date:           Tuesday 10th October 2006 at 11am

Location:       CSIRO ICT Centre,
                Building E6B, Macquarie University.

                See <http://www.ict.csiro.au/HAIL/location.htm> for details.


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Abstract

This talk gives an overview of a linguistic investigation of individual differences in online personal diaries, or 'blogs.'  There is substantial evidence of gender differences in language (Lakoff, 1975), and to a lesser extent linguistic projection of personality (Pennebaker & King, 1999).  New forms of computer-mediated communication - unrestricted as to content and form guidelines - allow users total freedom for individual expression.  This makes weblogs the perfect choice for exploring linguistic expression of individual differences.  This talk will present findings from a study to identify linguistic features which can be used to differentiate between not only gender, but personality type.  However, it is further recognised that whilst people are capable of recognising personality generally, their ability varies considerably across specific traits.  In an attempt to develop automatic personality recognition, early results in machine classification by a selection of the identified linguistic features will also be discussed and compared to human performance.


Short resume

Scott Nowson received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in computer science and artificial intelligence from the Division of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh.  He gained his PhD from the Divisions world leading natural language group under the tutelage of Professor Jon Oberlander.  His areas of interest include how language use can reflect who we are as individuals, along with how computers can use this information.  Scott is currently working at Macquarie University in Sydney with Professor Robert Dale.  In co-operation with the Capital Markets Co-operative Research Centre, they are exploring applications for natural language technology for the financial markets.


----------------------------------------
The HAIL Seminars' URL:
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Contacts:       Andrew Lampert
Address:        CSIRO HAIL Seminars,
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Phone:  (02) 9325 3100
Email:  Andrew.Lampert at csiro.au


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