Toward a Morphosyntactic User Model for Language Analysis and Generation: A PhD Proposal

This proposal paper is being presented in partial ful llment of the Ph.D. requirements of the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at the University of Delaware. In this paper, I discuss a user modeling architecture for ICICLE, a natural language system intended for use as a writing tutor for deaf learners of written English. This proposed design, intended to model dynamic aspects of a learner over the passage of time, the acquisition of new knowledge, and multiple sessions with the system, includes components to track the history of interaction with a given user as well as a very complex, dynamic model of user interlanguage grammar and domain knowledge. It has been based on research in language acquisition and in the acquisition of cognitive skills. The focus of the work described in this proposal is the development of the model of interlanguage status, which will be used in the analysis of user language production and in the generation of user-tailored explanations.