title: Improving natural language and speech interfaces by the use of metalinguistic phenomena.
abstract: Current shortcomings of Natural Language and Speech recognition interfaces are discussed. The argument examined is that people's familiarity with Natural Language and Speech, generally regarded as the raison d'etre of such interfaces, is in fact a barrier to their effective use. It is demonstrated, however, that prudent use of human metalingusitic strategies can alleviate some of the shortcomings in such interfaces. Examples are provided of metalinguistic strategies (response matching, mutual modelling and message adaptation), identified in human-human dialogue, being investigated in the laboratory and adapted for effective use in the design of human-computer dialogues.
authors.affiliation: Human Factors consultant, YARD Ltd, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Leiser