Abstract: A computerized interactive language reference tool is provided which associates one or more connotative meanings with a denotative context of a given term. A data base stores the denotative context and connotative meanings of a plurality of terms. Connotative meaning, along with the intensity of such meaning are identified using a statistical model of sampled responses from select panels of evaluators. Areas of human interest also are associated with a given term and its denotative meaning. Scaled ratings of the power, activity and abstract/concrete qualities of the term also are maintained. Connotative meanings for any given term are determined from predefined emotional descriptors organized into a plurality of predefined categories. The data base content is updated over time to accommodate changing and new connotations occurring over time.

Abstract: A computerized interactive language reference system includes a database of terms with associated denotative, connotative and human interest information. The system goes through each word of a passage and determines whether there is an entry in the database for such word. For each term where there is an entry, there is a check to see if the term has more than one denotative meaning. Where there is more than one denotative meaning, an appropriate one of the denotative meanings is selected. The system evaluates the passage for positive emotional connotations, negative emotional connotations, global emotional connotations, human interest, connotations of power, connotations of activity and connotations of abstractness/concreteness. Dominant emotional connotations and dominant words also are specifically identified and ranked.