Semantic translation
Encyclopedia
Semantic translation is the process of using semantic information to aid in the translation of data in one representation or data model
to another representation or data model. Semantic translation takes advantage of semantics that associate meaning with individual data element
s in one dictionary
to create an equivalent meaning in a second system.
An example of semantic translation is the conversion of XML
data from one data model to a second data model using formal ontologies for each system such as the Web Ontology Language
(owl). This is frequently required by intelligent agents that wish to perform searches on remote computer systems that use different data models to store their data elements. The process of allowing a single user to search multiple systems with a single search request is also known as federated search
.
Semantic translation should be differentiated from data mapping
tools that do simple one-to-one translation of data from one system to another without actually associating meaning with each data element.
Semantic translation requires that data elements in the source and destination systems have "semantic mappings" to a central registry or registries of data elements. The simplest mapping is of course where there is equivalence.
There are three types of Semantic equivalence
:
Semantic translation is very difficult if the terms in a particular data model do not have direct one-to-one mappings to data elements in a foreign data model. In that situation an alternative approach must be used to find mappings from the original data to the foreign data elements. This problem can be alleviated by centralized metadata registries that use the ISO-11179 standards such as the National Information Exchange Model
(NIEM).
Data model
A data model in software engineering is an abstract model, that documents and organizes the business data for communication between team members and is used as a plan for developing applications, specifically how data is stored and accessed....
to another representation or data model. Semantic translation takes advantage of semantics that associate meaning with individual data element
Data element
In metadata, the term data element is an atomic unit of data that has precise meaning or precise semantics. A data element has:# An identification such as a data element name# A clear data element definition# One or more representation terms...
s in one dictionary
Data dictionary
A data dictionary, or metadata repository, as defined in the IBM Dictionary of Computing, is a "centralized repository of information about data such as meaning, relationships to other data, origin, usage, and format." The term may have one of several closely related meanings pertaining to...
to create an equivalent meaning in a second system.
An example of semantic translation is the conversion of XML
XML
Extensible Markup Language is a set of rules for encoding documents in machine-readable form. It is defined in the XML 1.0 Specification produced by the W3C, and several other related specifications, all gratis open standards....
data from one data model to a second data model using formal ontologies for each system such as the Web Ontology Language
Web Ontology Language
The Web Ontology Language is a family of knowledge representation languages for authoring ontologies.The languages are characterised by formal semantics and RDF/XML-based serializations for the Semantic Web...
(owl). This is frequently required by intelligent agents that wish to perform searches on remote computer systems that use different data models to store their data elements. The process of allowing a single user to search multiple systems with a single search request is also known as federated search
Federated search
Federated search is an information retrieval technology that allows the simultaneous search of multiple searchable resources. A user makes a single query request which is distributed to the search engines participating in the federation...
.
Semantic translation should be differentiated from data mapping
Data mapping
Data mapping is the process of creating data element mappings between two distinct data models. Data mapping is used as a first step for a wide variety of data integration tasks including:...
tools that do simple one-to-one translation of data from one system to another without actually associating meaning with each data element.
Semantic translation requires that data elements in the source and destination systems have "semantic mappings" to a central registry or registries of data elements. The simplest mapping is of course where there is equivalence.
There are three types of Semantic equivalence
Semantic equivalence
In computer metadata, semantic equivalence is a declaration that two data elements from different vocabularies contain data that has similar meaning...
:
- ClassClass (computer science)In object-oriented programming, a class is a construct that is used as a blueprint to create instances of itself – referred to as class instances, class objects, instance objects or simply objects. A class defines constituent members which enable these class instances to have state and behavior...
Equivalence - indicating that class or "concepts" are equivalent. For example: "Person" is the same as "Individual" - PropertyRelation (mathematics)In set theory and logic, a relation is a property that assigns truth values to k-tuples of individuals. Typically, the property describes a possible connection between the components of a k-tuple...
Equivalence - indicating that two properties are equivalent. For example: "PersonGivenName" is the same as "FirstName" - Instance Equivalence - indicating that two individual instances of objects are equivalent. For example: "Dan Smith" is the same person as "Daniel Smith"
Semantic translation is very difficult if the terms in a particular data model do not have direct one-to-one mappings to data elements in a foreign data model. In that situation an alternative approach must be used to find mappings from the original data to the foreign data elements. This problem can be alleviated by centralized metadata registries that use the ISO-11179 standards such as the National Information Exchange Model
National Information Exchange Model
The National Information Exchange Model is an XML-based information exchange framework from the United States. NIEM represents a collaborative partnership of agencies and organizations across all levels of government and with private industry...
(NIEM).
See also
- Data mappingData mappingData mapping is the process of creating data element mappings between two distinct data models. Data mapping is used as a first step for a wide variety of data integration tasks including:...
- Semantic mapping
- Federated searchFederated searchFederated search is an information retrieval technology that allows the simultaneous search of multiple searchable resources. A user makes a single query request which is distributed to the search engines participating in the federation...
- Intelligent agents
- ISO/IEC 11179ISO/IEC 11179ISO/IEC 11179 is an international standard for representing metadata for an organization in a metadata registry.- Intended purpose :...
- National Information Exchange ModelNational Information Exchange ModelThe National Information Exchange Model is an XML-based information exchange framework from the United States. NIEM represents a collaborative partnership of agencies and organizations across all levels of government and with private industry...
- Semantic WebSemantic WebThe Semantic Web is a collaborative movement led by the World Wide Web Consortium that promotes common formats for data on the World Wide Web. By encouraging the inclusion of semantic content in web pages, the Semantic Web aims at converting the current web of unstructured documents into a "web of...
- Vocabulary-based transformationVocabulary-based transformationIn metadata, a vocabulary-based transformation is a transformation aided by the use of a semantic equivalence statements within a controlled vocabulary.Many organizations today require communication between one or more computers...
- Web Ontology LanguageWeb Ontology LanguageThe Web Ontology Language is a family of knowledge representation languages for authoring ontologies.The languages are characterised by formal semantics and RDF/XML-based serializations for the Semantic Web...