ELSNET (Phase II)

Type of project: European  |  Start date: 01/01/1993  |  End date: 31/12/1995

The objective of the project is to help to co-ordinate European research and post-graduate training activities which promote the development of Speech and Natural Language Technology. Its long-term technological goal is the construction of integrated multilingual speech and natural language systems with an unrestricted coverage of both spoken and written language. In the shorter term, the Network’s efforts will contribute to increase the industrial take-up of existing language technologies and to create the necessary human and software resources for a competitive European language industry.

The main activities of the Network are organised around four Task Groups concerned with Research Co-ordination, Training and Mobility, Language and Speech Resources and Industrial Links. The Network is made up of 9 Managing Nodes and of a larger number of Associate Nodes. The Managing Nodes act as a contact point between the Associate Nodes they are responsible for and the Network’s Executive Board. The Network’s Executive Board comprises representatives from each Managing Node and from each Task Group, an industrial representative and a representative from the European Commission. The Network’s Executive Board is chaired by the ELSNET Co-ordinator. General administration is carried out by a senior academic (the ELSNET Co-ordinator) and by an administrative assistant.