Computing Perspective in Dialogue - Computational Linguistics and Talking Robots - page 197

10.3.8 O PERATIONS OF STAR-2 INFERENCES
1. The S value of the STAR-1 in the input (matching the antecedent) equals
the S value of the STAR-2 in the output (derived by the consequent).
2. The T value of the STAR-1 in the input equals the T value of the STAR-2
in the output.
3. The A value of the STAR-1 in the input equals the R value of the STAR-2
in the output.
4. The R value of the STAR-1 in the input equals the A value of the STAR-2
in the output.
5. The prn value of the input equals the prn value of the output.
These properties hold specifically for STAR-2 contents. For example, in
STAR-1 contents the author equals the A value, and not the R value.
The derivation of STAR-2 contents does not interfere with the cycle of natu-
ral language communication (Sects. 3.3, 3.4) because it applies after the hear
mode derivation and before storage in the Word Bank.
10.4 Dialogue with a WH Question and Its Answer
The statement dialogue analyzed in Sects. 10.1-10.3 consists of the speaker
producing and the hearer interpreting a declarative 9 sentence. A question-
answer dialogue, in contrast, is based on (1) the questioner producing an in-
terrogative, (2) the answerer interpreting the interrogative, (3) the answerer
producing an answer, and (4) the questioner interpreting the answer.
Preceding these four steps, however, there is the emergence of the question
content . For example, having digested J.-P.'s remark 10.2.1, Simone searches
her recent memory for connected letter, write, and J.-P. proplets, and realizes
that she has not yet received the letter. 10 This creates a certain kind of imbal-
ance in her mind, commonly known as curiosity. As a means to regain her
equilibrium, the following question content emerges in Simone's mind:
9 The sentential mood associated with statement dialogues is declarative , just as the sentential mood
associated with question dialogues is interrogative , while the imperative mood is associated with re-
quests. However, the sentential moods are often used indirectly. For example, the yes/no interrogative
Could you pass the salt? is normally used as as a request rather than a question. Similarly, the state-
ment I demand a signed report now. (indirect request) is answered in the movie Bullit (1968) with
the politeness formula Excuse me. with the speaker walking away (indirect way of saying no ). In
this chapter, statement, question, and request dialogues are illustrated with literally used expressions
in the declarative, interrogative, and imperative moods, respectively.