WO2011121282A1

WO2011121282A1 - A method, apparatus and system for analyzing and altering text

Info

Publication number: WO2011121282A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/000445
Authority: WO
Inventors: Neil Trigger
Original assignee: Neil Trigger
Priority date: 2010-03-29
Filing date: 2011-03-29
Publication date: 2011-10-06
Also published as: GB201005241D0

Abstract

A system and method for enhancing the meaning of text in a document comprises a subscriber communicating a text document to a processing site where the text is analysed for sensual modality according to neuro-linguistic programming and expressions that could be improved are found. The text document is presented back to the subscriber with improvable expressions highlighted and colour coded and alternative expressions hidden in a popup for each highlighted improvable expression. The subscriber can select a highlighted improvable expression to show the popup and select, if required, an improved text document. An email apparatus is also disclosed where the meaning of email text is can be enhanced in the same manner. The invention improves the persuasiveness of text documents and messages.

Description

A method, apparatus and system for analyzing and altering text

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and system for analyzing and altering text, specifically written words to change and reinforce their impact on a reader.

More particularly the present invention relates to a method, apparatus and system that provides alteration to words and phrases to make the written words more persuasive.

Background

Individuals prepare written documents in many electronic or Information Technology (IT) formats. The written document may be a word processor document, or an email document, to name only two possibilities. The text of the written communication can be derived from different sources. The text can be created by speech recognition, character recognition, hand written material, optical character recognition devices, keyboard/mouse data entry, data and voice signals from telephony, Internet code and any device and method presently existing and yet to appear, that is capable of generating text usable with the invention.

For simplicity throughout this specification, the present invention is hereinafter described with respect to email documents only. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the nature of the description given here below, and can equally be applied to any electronic or IT format and presentation of a document as will become clear to the skilled person.

Prior Art

When preparing a written communication, the author may have different intentions for the written communication to have impact upon a reader. Many written communications are of a casual nature, for example in rapidly written text messages that are often referred to as short messaging service (SMS) messages.

Conversely, written communication can have a required or desired effect upon the reader. In such circumstances, it may be important for the author to choose words and phrases carefully depending upon the nature of the communication and its intention. Often, an author is unaware of what words, idioms or expressions to use, or of the impact the words or expressions the author does use might have upon a reader. This may be even more important if a piece of text is to be translated or if it is transcribed automatically directly from speech.

International Patent Application Number WO-A2- 2005/022294 (White Smoke) refers to "natural language processing". While White Smoke identifies linguistic, grammatical constructs, the present invention identifies the category (one of four, specified) that each word or phrase falls into (if any). Therefore any similarities in the search engine are based on an analysis engine which is common to both, not specifically on the models of psychology that are being screened and for which specific preferred terms are being sought.

US Patent Application US 2003/0212655 (Volcani et al) relies on subjective analysis of various traits of language.

The present invention seeks to provide help and assistance to an author in preparing a written communication, better to achieve a desired effect when read by a recipient.

Communication is not limited to writing. Speech is more often used. The same principles apply to speech as apply to written communication. If an effect is required to be achieved in a listener or an audience, the speaker sometimes has to choose their words and expressions with care.

An example of this is where a writer is communicating to a reader in a different language and so needs to pay attention to unusual expressions or colloquialisms, phases and sayings, as these do not always readily translate and may even cause offence or confusion to the recipient.

It is another object of the present invention, by facilitating preparation of a written document to create an effect upon a reader, and this effect also facilitates use of that document as a basis for oral presentation. Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for improving text documents, the system comprising: a subscriber apparatus; and a processing apparatus; the subscriber apparatus comprising means to transfer a text document to the processing apparatus; the processing apparatus comprises means to analyse the text document for manner of expression to detect changeable text items; the processing apparatus includes a means to present analysed text document to the subscriber apparatus together with suggested alternative expressions for each changeable text item; and the subscriber apparatus comprising means to inspect and select suggested alternative expressions to the changeable text.

According to a second aspect, the present invention consists in a method for improving text documents, the method comprising: a step of a subscriber apparatus transferring a text document to a processing apparatus; a step of the processing apparatus analysing the text document for manner of expression and detecting changeable text items; a step of the processing apparatus presenting the analysed text document the subscriber apparatus together with suggested alternative expressions for each changeable text item; and a step of the subscriber apparatus inspecting and selecting suggested alternative expressions to the changeable text.

According to a third aspect, the present invention consists in an apparatus for improving the meaning of emails, the apparatus comprising: means to prepare an original email text; means to analyse the manner of expression of the original email text to detect improvable expressions and to provide possible alternative expressions; means to display the original email text with hidden alternative expressions; and means to inspect the hidden alternative expressions and to select alternative expressions to provide improved email text. The invention therefore is modal in its operation and not lexical, thus it is more objective than, for example the system described in US 2003/0212655, the lexical focus of which bears no relation to the functionality of the present invention, in which a linguistic technique of mirroring, using the matching of modal predicates, is used. This is a subtle difference and is based around so- called neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) techniques, but this difference is a very important one as more than one category of analyzing words and phrases is ideally used.

Optionally uncategorized words are labeled "neutral". This has no bearing on perception as such, and accordingly the technique used by the present invention connects on an unconscious level rather than a conscious one.

The hidden alternative expressions can be provided within a screen popup and the means to inspect and possibly select the hidden alternative can include means to select the 'popup' box or a menu offering one or more choices for a particular improvable text item and to select an alternative expression displayed in the 'popup' box.

The subscriber apparatus can be at a first location in a communication network and the processing apparatus can be at a second location in the communication network. The communication network may include an intranet, local or wide area network (LAN or WAN) or the Internet.

The means to transfer a text document to the processing apparatus and the means to present the analyzed text document back to the subscriber apparatus can include use of a website intermediate between the subscriber apparatus and the processing apparatus.

The manner of expression can be analysed for sensual modalities and/or for preferred idioms, phases, words or expressions in accordance with a reader's preferences, mood or temperament.

The invention is further explained, by way of example, by the following description, to be read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of one environment within which the invention can be employed; Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of the functional elements of an exemplary subscriber 16 apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional elements of a processing website, otherwise illustrated in Figure 1 ;

Figures 4A to 4C illustrate respectively, first, second and third exemplary ways that the invention can be employed;

Figure 5, is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary text improvement process suitable for use in the examples show in Figure 4A and 4B;

Figure 6 is an exemplary flow chart showing a first stage in the text enhancement process; Figure 7, an exemplary flow chart depicting a second and final part of text enhancement; and

Figure 8 is an image of a portion of a screen whereon text enhancement is in progress.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Attention is first drawn to Figure 1 , showing a schematic diagram of one environment within which the invention can be employed.

A communication network 10, such as, but not restricted to, the Internet, joins a plurality of web sites general each having the possibility of communication with other websites general within the communications network. A processing websites 14 provides a facility to process text, according to the invention, received from one of the other general websites 12.

Individual web pages or documents are addressed in the web sites 12 14 by the use of Uniform Resource Locators (URLs). The URL is the address of a resource. When presented by a user to the communications network, the content of the URL is delivered automatically to the user from the particular addressed page or document in the addressed website. As is well known, nearly all websites are provided by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) coupled to communicate with the Internet, though some websites have their own server coupled to the internet. Subscribers 16 are also connected to the internet, via their respective ISPs, and pass messages to and through and receive services from the general websites 12 and other subscribers 16.

Attention is drawn to Figure 2, a schematic block diagram of the functional elements of an exemplary subscriber 16 apparatus shown in Figure 1.

The subscriber 16 is connected to its Internet Service Provider (ISP) and thereby to the Internet 10 through communication channel subscriber by a modem (modulator-demodulator) 20. The modem 20 is configured to send signals to and to receive signals from the network 10 via the subscriber communication channel 18.

An email application program 22 controls the signals to the modem 20 and receives signals from the modem 20. The email application 22 interacts with a controller processor 24 to display, on a display 26, content received as an email or to be displayed as email preparation content. The email application content comprises text, displayed on a screen, which can be maintained as data within the email application 22 for the time it is displayed, and may be kept when the email application 22 content display 26 image is discarded.

An adaptation application program 28 can operate as an email application "plugin" in conjunction with the email application 22 to inspect and modify, if appropriate, the displayed text on the display 26 and to provide, as will be made clear from the later description, enhanced message impact capability. The plugin 28 can also interact with the controller 24 to alter and to add images on the display 26 as later described.

The plugin adaptation program 28 is shown in broken outline, since it is not necessarily always operational in the subscriber 16 apparatus. The plugin adaptation program 28 may be downloaded, from a server or website 12 14 when it is first required. The plugin adaptation program 28, once installed, remains as a permanent or semi-permanent presence in the subscriber 16 apparatus according to their subscription.

User input devices 30 32 34 are also provided, interacting with the controller 24 to allow items and options to be selected by the user, and can comprise a pointing device 30 such as a mouse or finger pad, touch screen and/or a keyboard 32, and/or a touch screen 34. This list of input devices is not exhaustive. All that is of importance to the present invention is that the subscriber 16 apparatus be capable of selecting on-screen display 26 items and options.

Although the items in Figure 2 are shown as if actual physical entities, it is to be appreciated that only some, such as the modem 20, the display 26 and the input devices 30 32 34 need be as shown, and even so, are accompanied by controlling application programs. Items such as the controller 24 and the email application 22 can be implemented portions of an overall program run on a subscriber 16 processor apparatus which can include many other simultaneously or sequentially executed activities within its scope.

Figure 2 is therefore a notional representation of the essential elements of the subscriber 16 apparatus to aid understanding and visualization in the description. The invention encompasses all variations of implementation and construction which allow the necessary elements of the subscriber 16 apparatus to exist.

Attention is next drawn to Figure 3, a schematic block diagram showing the functional elements of a processing website 4, otherwise illustrated in Figure 1 .

A processor website modem 36 is in communication with the Internet 10 by means of a processor website communication channel 38. The processor website modem 36 is controlled by a processing website controller 40 which is operable to receive signals from and provide signals to the Internet 10. The processing website 1 has a unique website address.

The processor website 14 comprises a processor website text store 42, operable to receive externally supplied text from other parts of the Internet 10 and to provide its content to other parts of the Internet 10. The text store is also coupled to the processor website controller 14. A dictionary 44 contains a text database of modal predicates defining terms in four categories together with suggested replacement terms. A text comparator 46 compares the content of the processor website text store 42 with terms in the dictionary 44 and provides input to an analysis module 48, in communication with the processor website controller 40. Optionally the dictionary may also include alternatives to idioms, expressions, sayings, abbreviated expressions, such as those used in SMS messages, (for example 'I8r' which means 'later') or slang terms.

The analysis module 48 notes each term in the database 44 which categorises language using specific fields into modalities and predicates and matches with the text in the processor website text store 42 and co-operates with processor website controller 40 to highlight or otherwise emphasise each matched text item and to provide, as an individually viewable popup of suitable alternatives, for the intended recipient, of suggested replacement terms for each matched text item.

The popup is activated when the matched text item is selected. The analysis module also is operable to provide statistics, of use to a subscriber, concerning the modal content of the matched text items in the processor website text store42 and optionally the mood of the intended recipient as well as other variables.

The processor website 14 is also operable, under control of the processor website controller 40, to provide the content of the processor website text store to another general website 12 or a subscriber 16, to receive, analyze and respond to inputs from other general websites 12 or from a subscriber. Attention is next drawn to Figure 4A, illustrating an exemplary first way the invention can be employed. The subscriber 16 communicates via the subscriber communication channel 18 and its respective ISP into the Internet 10 to a general website 12 seeking some service. The general website 12 contains a menu or hyperlink pointing to the processor website 14. If, in using the general website 12, the subscriber desires the service offered by the processor website 14 to be used upon some text content provided by the subscriber to the general website 12, communication between the general website 12 and the processor website is established. The text content from the general website 12 is transferred to the processing website 14 which provides suggested improvement to the text in a manner later to be described and communicates the suggested improvements back to the general website which, in turn, transfers the suggested improvements back to the subscriber 16. The subscriber 16 takes various actions (later described) which are transferred through the general website 12 to the processing website 14 to effect text improvement. The processing website 14 thus is entirely accessed and used through the general website 12 and delivers its service with the subscriber 16 perhaps unaware of the origin of the service. In an alternative embodiment, the subscriber is fully aware of the intended recipient's characteristics, preferences, mood and nationality and is directed to one or more alternative words or expressions that might better communicate the writer's intention as well as avoid misunderstanding or offence to the recipient. In Figure 4A, the plugin adaptor program 28, shown in Figure 2, need not be present in the subscriber 16 apparatus and takes no part, if present, in the text improving process. Figure 4B shows a second way in which the invention can be used. The subscriber 16 employs the Internet 10 directly to communicate with the processing website 4. The subscriber 16 can use its ISP directly to send textual content, by different means, including the possibility of an email, to the processing website 14. The processing website can then offer text improvements in a manner described hereafter. In Figure 4B, the plugin adaptor program 28, shown in Figure 2, also does not need be present in the subscriber 6 apparatus and takes no part, if present, in the text improving process.

Figure 4C shows a third way in which the invention can be employed. A subscriber 16 wishes to send a text improved email using its subscribers communication channel 18 and the subscriber's ISP through the Internet 10 to a second subscriber 16' communicating with the Internet 10 and the second subscriber's ISP using a second subscriber's communication channel 18'. The subscriber 16 uses the plugin adaptation program 28, shown in Figure 2, to improve the text of the email before sending the email to the second subscriber 16'.

Attention is next drawn to Figure 5, a flow chart illustrating an exemplary text improvement process suitable for use in the examples show in Figure 4A and 4B. Figure 5 shows two parallel flow charts, a left hand flow chart showing the behaviour of the subscriber 16 apparatus and the right hand flow chart showing the behaviour of the processing website 14. Broken directional lines between the two flow charts denote information exchange between the subscriber 16 apparatus and the processing website 14.

The subscriber 16 apparatus commences with a subscriber apparatus start 50 and the processing website commences with a processing website start 52.

The first action happens when a first operation 54 at the subscriber 16 apparatus initiates contact with the processing website 14. A second operation 56 at the processing website 14 then cooperate with the first operation 54 to establish contact between the subscriber 16 apparatus and the processing website 14. The establishment of contact can include the identification of the subscriber 16 and the subscriber's 16 profile and preferences. Alternatively, selection of preferences can be left until text is transferred.

A third operation 58 at the subscriber 16 apparatus has the subscriber 16 apparatus make the text for enhancement made available to the processing website 14. The text can be provided in many ways. The text may be an email, or a word processor document, or can be the content of a web page (URL) designation of which can be used by a fourth operation 60 by the processing website to access and obtain the text. The invention is not limited by these examples. The invention encompasses all means and formats for receiving and storing text material. Once the fourth operation 60 has obtained and stored the text, a fifth operation 62 at the processing website 14 inspects the received text and calculates and sends the cost to the subscriber 16 of providing the text enhancement service and seventh operation 66 at the subscriber 16 apparatus receives the reported cost. The report can include how much credit the subscriber 16 currently has with the processing website 14.

The cost can be based on any of a variety of charging and billing strategies. Cost can be calculated on a per transaction basis, on the basis of the number of pages and/or the number of pages in the text, or on the basis of the number of matching words or expressions found in the text. If the subscriber 16 apparatus is accessing the processing website 14 through another subscriber 16 apparatus as in figure 4a, the charging may be circumvented for the purpose of this application only. At this point, the process will progress to the provision of enhanceable text 78. A first test 68 checks to see if the subscriber 16 has approved the cost, or, if funds are insufficient, the cost has increased or the subscriber is offered other means of payment. If the subscriber 16 has agreed (to pay or be charged) the cost, and/or made good any shortfall, an eighth operation 70 in the subscriber 16 apparatus communicates indication of acceptance to second test 72 which waits to see if indication of acceptance is received. If the subscriber 16 refuses the cost, the eighth operation 70 communicates refusal to the second test 72.

If the first test finds the subscriber 16 does not wish to accept the cost, it waits until after execution of the eighth operation 70 to pass control to a subscriber apparatus exit 74.

If the second test finds that the subscriber 16 has refused the cost, or has failed to make up any shortfall, or if no reply has been received within a predetermined time, control is passed to a processing website 14 exit 76.

If the second test 72 finds the subscriber 16 has accepted the cost, a ninth operation at the processing website 14 is to provide enhanceable text to the subscriber 16 apparatus and a tenth operation 80 at the subscriber 16 apparatus accepts the enhanceable text. The ninth 78 and tenth 80 operations co-operate with each other to enhance text, in a manner to be described hereafter, until a third test 82 finds that the subscriber 16 has finished with text enhancement. The third test 82 passes control to an eleventh operation 84 in the subscriber 16 apparatus which communicates completion to the processing website 14 and then passes control to the subscriber 16 apparatus exit 74.

All the time the ninth operation 78 is functional, a fourth test 86 checks to see if a communication has been received from the eleventh operation 84, and when confirmation of ending enhancement is received, passes control to the processing website exit 76. The subscriber 16 apparatus and the processing website 14 thus communicates with one another and co-operate with one another to achieve text enhancement.

The setup described in Figure 4C requires a plug-in adaptation program to be present and active in the subscriber 16 apparatus. The activity of text enhancement is carried out in the same manner for each setup in Figures 4A to 4C, with the exception that the text material is instantly available in the Figure 4C setup. Attention is drawn to Figure 6, a flow chart showing a first stage in the text enhancement process.

From a start operation 88 a twelfth operation 90 fetches a dictionary, such as is shown as Item 44 in Figure 3, containing, for the sake of this example, a text database of modal predicates defining terms in four categories together with suggested replacement terms, the modal predicates relating to expressions involving human senses.

The English language has these senses within it. For example, like the word "sound" relates to and refers the auditory sense. Possession of five senses leads people to express sensory experiences using sensory language called representational modalities. These modalities are:

1) Visual: to do with the eyes and includes words like "look", "see", "depict", "picture", "imagine" etc. 2) Audio / Auditory: to do with the ears and include words like "sound", "listen", "hear", "noise" etc.

3) Kinesthetic: to do with the body and touch and include words like "heavy", "feel", "weight", "pressure" 4) Olfactory: to do with smell and include words and phrases like "I smell a rat", "it stinks" and "fragrant"

5) Gustatory: to do with taste and the stomach and include words and phrases like "it left bitter taste in my mouth", "it makes me sick" and "butterflies in my stomach".

The last three of these categories (Kinesthetic, olfactory and gustatory) are combined for the purposes of these analyses into "kinesthetic" and a fourth category is added, called "audio-digital". It is this combined analysis that effects a so-called neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) effect on the terms and so provides the author a spectrum of alternative choices, with optionally ideal choices highlighted in dependence upon a specified user menu.

Audio Digital represents Noam Chomsky's theory of deep structure within transformational grammar and relates to the dissociated intention of a sentence. Words that do not fall into any of the other categories but still communicate meaning are applied to the Audio Digital category and include words like "communicate", "sense", "purpose" so that the benefits psychological mirroring, analogous to verbal communication, may be applied to digital systems.

These modalities are provided as an example of one area for which the present invention can be applied. Other modalities exist in expressed language. The present invention encompasses all modalities.

The present invention seeks to make expressed language more persuasive. Having obtained the dictionary of predicates, a thirteenth operation 92 scans the text to detect each instance of a predicate entry appearing in the text. When a fifth test 94 finds that text scanning is complete, a sixth test 96 checks to see if any predicate matches were found. If none were found, no text enhancement is possible and control is passed to exit 98.

If the sixth test 96 finds that predicate matches have been found, a fourteenth operation 100 takes each instance of the text matching a predicate entry and highlights it (or otherwise emphasizes it from text background), puts the text up for display, and stores a hidden popup in association with each emphasized text item.

The emphasis of a text item is changed by adding highlighter code in the form of HTML span tags or similar appropriate technology. These span tags include JavaScript or similar appropriate technology which enables the text as a popup link. Each span tag or similar appropriate technology relates to the properties of each database entry and is colour coded in a similar way to a traffic light. Red words and phrases are higher priority and almost certainly need replacing. Amber highlights recommend judgment being applied in relation to the tutorials that will have been provided. Green highlights relate to recent studies from the University of Utrecht, relating to the movement of muscles, triggered through mirror neurons when reading positive words and therefore should be kept present.

The present invention allows use of any technology to perform the highlight or popup functions and is not limited to HTML, JavaScript, PHP or any other programming language. The fourteenth operation 100 being completed, the figure 6 flow chart exits 102 to a flow chart depicted in Figure 7.

Attention is drawn to Figure 7, an exemplary flow chart depicting a second and final part of text enhancement.

From an entry 104 from Figure 6 a seventh test 106 checks to see if a highlighted text item has been selected by the user or subscriber employing a mouse plus clicks, hovering, use of a touch screen or any of many ways known for selecting an item on a screen. If no text item is selected, an eighth test 108 looks to see if the user or subscriber has finished with text enhancement. If not, control passes back to the seventh test. If the user or subscriber has finished with text enhancement, a fifteenth operation 1 10 makes the enhanced text available for use, for example, for emailing or removal, un-highlighted from the application and passes control to exit 112.

If the seventh test 106 detects that a highlighted text item is selected, a sixteenth operation 1 14 displays the popup associated with the item of highlighted text. The popup displays alternative options to the text item, including the option not to select any alternative. Once an option has been selected, a ninth test 1 16 passes control to a seventeenth operation 1 8 which closes the popup thereby to an eighteenth operation 120 which displays the selected text and passes control back to the seventh test 106.

Attention is drawn to Figure 8. Figure 8 shows a portion 122 of a display 26 screen with text displayed thereon in the process of having text meaning and reader impact enhancement. Highlighted text items 124 are present on the screen 26, together with un-highlighted text items 126. Previously highlighted items 128 which have been dealt with have selected modified text displayed in the ordinary manner, indistinguishable from a text which has not been highlighted.

When a highlighted text item 124 is selected, a popup 130 appears bearing possible alternatives 132 to the highlighted expression 124. The popup also contains, as an example, a first selectable box 134 which can be selected to indicate that operation on this popup is done, which can be used as a "ignore all alternatives" if no alternative expression has been selected in the popup before selection of the first selectable box, and a second selectable box 136, which can be selected to effect execution of the same change for each highlighted instance of the identical expression for the particular text item currently highlighted and selected. The popup also provides a means by which the word may be replaced by the user, and an option provided to select all instances of the database record or the selected instance of highlighted expression 124 only.

The invention also provides statistical analysis of word counts for whole text documents, a word count for each modality, character count and percentages of the entire document for each modality. The percentages are done in two ways:

Firstly, the modalities are added together to establish what the 100% representation consists of, and then the quantities are divided into their constituents. This is provided to the subscriber or user and can be output as a pie chart or other graphical representation and colour coded to provide a visual representation. A similar procedure is used to create representations for positive and negative influence and can be provided to the subscriber or user as a red (for negative) / green (for positive) pie chart or other graphical representation constructed for only these two variables.

The invention can equally be applied to word processor and all manner of text processor applications. The invention also encompasses that the dictionary can provide a range of selectable modalities and selectable applicable manners of enhancement of meaning or impact.

Replacement of all instances of a database record can occur. Similarly, replacement of only one instance of that record can likewise occur, depending on user-input.

The invention is more clearly explained and defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A system for improving text documents, the system comprising: a subscriber apparatus; and a processing apparatus; the subscriber apparatus comprising means to transfer a text document to the processing apparatus; the processing apparatus comprises means to analyse the text document for manner of expression to detect changeable text items; the processing apparatus includes a means to present analysed text document to the subscriber apparatus together with suggested alternative expressions for each changeable text item; and the subscriber apparatus comprising means to inspect and select suggested alternative expressions to the changeable text.

2. A system, according to Claim 1 , wherein the subscriber apparatus is at a first location in a communication network and the processing apparatus is at a second location in the communication network.

3. A system according to Claim 2 wherein the communication network comprises the Internet.

4. A system, according to Claim 3, wherein the means to transfer a text document to the processing apparatus and the means to present the analyzed text document back to the subscriber apparatus includes use of a website intermediate between the subscriber apparatus and the processing apparatus.

5. A system, according to any of the preceding claim wherein the manner of expression is analysed for sensual modalities.

6. A method for improving text for improving text documents, the method comprising: a step of a subscriber apparatus transferring a text document to a processing apparatus; a step of the processing apparatus analysing the text document for manner of expression and detecting changeable text items; a step of the processing apparatus presenting the analysed text document the subscriber apparatus together with suggested alternative expressions for each changeable text item; and a step of the subscriber apparatus inspecting and selecting suggested alternative expressions to the changeable text.

7. A method, according to Claim 6, including the step of providing the subscriber apparatus at a first location in a communication network and providing the processing apparatus at a second location in the communication network.

8. A method, according to Claim 7, wherein the communication network comprises the Internet.

9. A method, according to Claim 8, wherein the step of transferring a text document to the processing apparatus and the step of presenting the analyzed text document back to the subscriber apparatus includes use of a website intermediate between the subscriber apparatus and the processing apparatus.

10. A method, according to any of Claims 6 to 9, wherein the step of analysing text document for manner of expression includes analysing the text document for expressions of four or more sensual modalities.

11 . An apparatus for improving the meaning of emails, the apparatus comprising: means to prepare an original email text; means to analyse the manner of expression of the original email text to detect improvable expressions and to provide possible alternative expressions; means to display the original email text with hidden alternative expressions; and means to inspect the hidden alternative expressions and to select alternative expressions to provide improved email text.