The Impact of Dimensionality on Natural Language Route Directions in Unconstrained Dialogue

In this paper we examine the influence of dimensionality on natural language route directions in dialogue. Specifically, we show that giving route instructions in a quasi-3d environment leads to experiential descriptive accounts, as manifested by a higher proportion of location descriptions, lack of chunking, use of 1st person singular personal pronouns, and more frequent use of temporal and spatial deictic terms. 2d scenarios lead to informative instructions, as manifested by a frequent use of motion expressions, chunking of route elements, and use of mainly 2nd person singular personal pronouns.