Spoken dialogue systems have transformed human-machine interaction by providing real-time
responses to queries. However, misunderstandings between the user and system persist. This study
examines the significance of interactional language in dialogue repair between virtual assistants
and users. Analyzing interactions with Google Assistant and Siri, I explore their utilization and
response to the other-initiated repair strategy "huh?" prevalent in human-human interaction.
Findings reveal several ...
Spoken dialogue systems have transformed human-machine interaction by providing real-time
responses to queries. However, misunderstandings between the user and system persist. This study
examines the significance of interactional language in dialogue repair between virtual assistants
and users. Analyzing interactions with Google Assistant and Siri, I explore their utilization and
response to the other-initiated repair strategy "huh?" prevalent in human-human interaction.
Findings reveal several assistant-generated strategies but an inability to replicate human-like repair
strategies such as "huh?". English and Spanish user surveys show differences in users’ repair
strategy preferences and assistant usage, with both similarities and disparities among the two
surveyed languages. These results shed light on inequalities between interactional language in
human-human interaction and human-machine interaction, underscoring the need for further
research on the impact of interactional language on human-machine interaction in English and
beyond.
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