That's (not) Correct. Unveiling Cohesive Devices in Conversational AI

ACL ARR 2025 February Submission565 Authors

Abstract: Cohesion is a fundamental element of conversations, reflecting the ability of interlocutors to establish meaningful connections across conversational turns. We investigate the linguistic alignment of cohesive devices in the form of anaphoric references in dyadic dialogues between users and conversational agents. Beyond their role as cohesive device, anaphoric references serve as a meta-commentary. By examining the communicative goals that are conveyed through the lens of this meta-commentary, we uncover notable differences across pragmatic dimensions, including linguistic choices, modulation strategies, and polarity trends. Our investigation reveals a fundamental distinction in the use of cohesive devices: users primarily employ anaphoric references for fact-checking, contrasting with conversational agents focusing on descriptive clarity, often utilizing discursive markers, emotive elements, and moral framing.

Paper Type: Long

Research Area: Discourse and Pragmatics

Research Area Keywords: Human-Computer-Interaction, Cohesive Devices, Discourse Analysis, Linguistic Alignment, Anaphoric References

Contribution Types: Model analysis & interpretability

Languages Studied: English

Submission Number: 565