Yukinori TAKUBO and Setsuko ARITA
Faculty of Literature, Kyushu University
6-19-1 Hakozaki, Higashiku, Fukuoka, 812
e-mail: takubltm@mbox.nc.kyushu-u.ac.jp,
ariseltm@mbox.nc.kyushu-u.ac.jp
We attempt to construct a performance model of speech, modeling the
nature of the operations the speaker/hearer performs in speech
recognition and interpretation, with the limitation of memory and
various distracting factors impeding ideal delivery and perception.
For this purpose, we have developed a theory of discourse management:
a version of Mental Space Theory, modified to accommodate dialogic
discourse by incorporating a memory management system.
We posit a cognitive interface between linguistic expressions and
knowledge base. This interface contains pointers and index files
linked to addresses in the knowledge base, controlling access paths to
the data in the base. It also functions as a working memory buffer
for the production and interpretation of utterances. Thus the
interface controls the input-output operations in speech. Utterances
in a dialogue exchange can be redefined as input-output operations via
this interface: registering, searching, editing, etc.
In this paper we analyze particles indicating a topic, "WA" and
"TTE" in the framework of Discourse Management Theory. We assume that
these particles function as instruction for operations used to access
data in the knowledge base. We are mainly concerned with the particle
"WA", which has hitherto been treated as having various functions e.g.
topic, contrast, range of value assignment, range of predication etc.
We argue that these multifarious functions can be reduced one
function: indicating the range of predication. We have shown how this
function can be expressed as a series of steps in the discourse
management model and demonstrated that our approach can capture the
nature of this particle in a unifying manner.
Keywords: topic, "WA", discourse management, performance model