# XISM: an eXploratory and Interactive Graph Tool to Visualize and Evaluate Semantic Map Models

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.04070 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.04070/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 1 of its 46 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 5 Jul 2025.

## Builds on (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Position: LLMs Can be Good Tutors in English Education](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.05467/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Semantic map models visualize systematic relations among semantic functions through graph structures and are widely used in linguistic typology. However, existing construction methods either depend on labor-intensive expert reasoning or on fully automated systems lacking expert involvement, creating a tension between scalability and interpretability. We introduce XISM, an interactive system that combines data-driven inference with expert knowledge. XISM generates candidate maps via a top-down procedure and allows users to iteratively refine edges in a visual interface, with real-time metric feedback. Experiments in three semantic domains and expert interviews show that XISM improves linguistic decision transparency and controllability in semantic-map construction while maintaining computational efficiency. XISM provides a collaborative approach for scalable and interpretable semantic-map building. The systemfootnotehttps://app.xism2025.xin/ , source codefootnotehttps://github.com/hank317/XISM , and demonstration videofootnotehttps://youtu.be/m5laLhGn6Ys are publicly available.