Interactive Phrasebook - Embedding Human Social Dynamics in Language Training

Today, many individuals must interact with others who not only use different languages, but have fundamentally different belief structures and concepts of trust and collaboration. While proficiency in a language is important, it is only one aspect of effective communication. Knowledge about culturally influenced social norms, or etiquette, directly impacts interaction outcomes. Computer-based training systems are a promising and cost effective solution for providing simulated social interactions for a learner to both practice language use and observe cultural nuances in the dynamics of an interaction. A computerized actor which displays social characteristics consistent with its cultural background can provide low cost training and rehearsal opportunities. Such a system would allow humans to train with realistically-behaving simulations in high fidelity situational contexts, and interactions with virtual agents that reflect the types of people they will be required to work with. The authors have adapted a well grounded socio-linguistic model of human-human interaction, and applied it in a language and culture training application. Interactive Phrasebook leverages work in a scalable, customizable, and computationally tractable model of a universal code of conduct that defines how social dynamics such as power and social distance manifests into the expression and interpretation of interaction behaviors.