System and method for relating syntax and semantics for a conversational speech application

A system for analyzing spoken utterances comprising common language words, comprising:

• a syntax manager for generating a grammatic specification suitable for processing the spoken utterances recognized by a speech engine based on a domain model for a speech-enabled application and based on a syntax template for the domain model, the domain model providing the grammatic specification with built-in meaning, the syntax manager applying a general syntax through the syntax template to an ontological model such that an annotated grammar is formed, the grammatic specification including the annotated grammar;
• and
• a semantics analysis module for processing a recognition message based on one of the spoken utterances recognized by a speech engine to produce an initial semantic representation of the recognized spoken utterance based on the grammatic specification and the domain model;
• and the semantic analysis module providing a set of propositions that represent the recognized spoken utterance, the set of propositions based on the initial semantic representation and the domain model.

A computer program product comprising:

• a computer usable medium for analyzing spoken utterances comprising common language words in a speech-enabled environment;
• and
• a set of computer program instructions embodied on the computer useable medium, including instructions to:
• generate a grammatic specification suitable for processing the spoken utterances based on a domain model for a speech-enabled application and based on a syntax template for the domain model, the domain model providing the grammatic specification with built-in meaning, wherein, through the syntax template, a general syntax is applied to an ontological model to form an annotated grammar, the grammatic specification including the annotated grammar;
• process a recognition message, based on one of the spoken utterances recognized by a speech engine, to produce an initial semantic representation of the recognized spoken utterance based on the grammatic specification and the domain model;
• and
• provide a set of propositions that represent the recognized spoken utterance, the set of propositions based on the initial semantic representation and the domain model.

A system for analyzing spoken utterances comprising common language words in a speech-enabled environment, comprising:

• means for generating a grammatic specification suitable for processing the spoken utterances based on a domain model for a speech-enabled application and based on a syntax template for the domain model, the domain model providing the grammatic specification with built-in meaning, the generating means a in general syntax through the syntax template to an ontological model such that an annotated grammar results the grammatic specification being formed of the annotated grammar;
• means for processing a recognition message, based on one of the spoken utterances recognized by a speech engine, to produce an initial semantic representation of the recognized spoken utterance based on the grammatic specification and the domain model;
• and
• means for providing a set of propositions that represent the recognized spoken utterance, the set of propositions based on the initial semantic representation and the domain model.