Events Calendar

PhD Thesis Proposal - Jacqueline [Lina] Brixey

PhD Candidate: Jacqueline [Lina] Brixey

Title: Code-switching dialogue systems for language documentation and conversational fluency

Committee: David Traum, Maja Mataric, Khalil Iskarous (USC Linguistics),Kallirroi Georgila, and Jon May

Date: June 30th
Time: 4pm - 5:30 pm
Zoom: https://usc.zoom.us/j/93068920916


Abstract:
Bilingual dialogue systems, or systems that can speak two or more languages within a single conversation, are important systems to consider and implement because many people in the world are bilingual. Code-switching, or switching languages either within a single utterance or between utterances, is a common behavior of bilinguals. Programs that could understand and respond to a user in several languages would allow more users to benefit and interact with dialogue systems comfortably. Current state of the art includes dialogue systems that can speak multiple languages, such as Amazon Alexa that can respond to queries in English or Spanish, among other languages. However, few systems have been developed to process multiple languages being present within a single utterance or to initiate code-switching. I hypothesize that code-switching in dialogue systems can lead to a better user experience and more productive interactions than monolingual systems. I will explore this hypothesis in two applications.The first is a system named DAPEL that records endangered languages through dialogue. The second is a system, named Masheli, designed for language learners to practice conversational fluency. Both applications will focus on Choctaw-English bilingualism; Choctaw is a low-resource and endangered American indigenous language.

WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/93068920916

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Lizsl De Leon