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In this article we present a parameterized model for generating multimodal behavior based on cultural heuristics. To this end, a multimodal corpus analysis of human interactions in two cultures serves as the empirical basis for the modeling endeavor. Integrating the results from this empirical study with a well-established theory of cultural dimensions, it becomes feasible to generate culture-specific multimodal behavior in embodied agents by giving evidence for the cultural background of the agent. Two sample applications are presented that make use of the model and are designed to be applied in the area of coaching intercultural communication.

In this paper, we discuss how ontology plays roles in building a distributed and heterogeneous knowledge-base system. First, we discuss relationship between ontology and agents in the [Formula: see text] which is a framework of knowledge sharing and reuse based on a multi-agent architecture. Ontology is a minimum requirement for each agent to join the [Formula: see text]. Second, we explain mediation by ontology to show how ontology is used in the [Formula: see text]. A special agent called mediator analyzes undirected messages and infer candidates of recipient agents by consulting ontology and relationship between ontology and agents. Third, we model ontology as combination of aspects each of which can represent a way of conceptualization. Aspects are combined either as combination aspect which means integration of aspects or category aspect which means choice of aspects. Since ontology by aspect allows heterogeneous and multiple descriptions for phenomenon in the world, it is appropriate for heterogeneous knowledge-base systems. We also show translation of messages as a way of interpreting multiple aspects. A translation agent can translate a message with some aspect to one with another aspect by analyzing dependency of aspects. Mediation and translation of messages are important to build agents easily and naturally because less knowledge on other agents is requested for each agent.