| When giving directions to a place, a speaker sometimes has to refer to an object that is not previously known to the hearer. To do so, he attempts to a build a description of the object that will allow the hearer to identify it when she later reaches it.;This thesis presents a computational model of how two agents collaborate on reference in direction-giving dialogues. Viewing language as goal-oriented behaviour, we encode route descriptions, referring expressions, and discourse actions in the planning paradigm. The basis is that a referring expression plan is acceptable to the hearer if she is confident that the plan is adequate as an executable identification plan. By considering the salience of the features used in a referring expression, an agent can evaluate his confidence. In collaborating on making plans mutually acceptable, an agent uses suggestion and elaboration discourse actions. The process of mutual acceptance is governed by the application of goal adoption and mutual acceptance rules that allow an agent to construct and infer plans, and to update her mental state. |
