Linguistic Processing in a Mathematics Tutoring System: Cooperative Input Interpretation and Dialogue Modelling

Formal domains, such as mathematics, require exact language to communicate the intended content. Special symbolic notations are used to express the semantics precisely, compactly, and unambiguously. Mathematical textbooks offer plenty of examples of concise, accurate presentations. This effective communication is enabled by interleaved use of formulas and natural language. Since natural language interaction has been shown to be an important factor in the efficiency of human tutoring [29], it would be desirable to enhance interaction with Intelligent Tutoring Systems for mathematics by allowing elements of mixed language combining the exactness of formal expressions with natural language flexibility.

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