Spoken dialogue systems have transformed human-machine interaction by providing real-time responses to queries. However, misunderstandings between the user and system persist. This study examines the significance of interactional language in dialogue repair between virtual assistants and users. Analyzing interactions with Google Assistant and Siri, I explore their utilization and response to the other-initiated repair strategy "huh?" prevalent in human-human interaction. Findings reveal several assistant-generated strategies but an inability to replicate human-like repair strategies such as "huh?". English and Spanish user surveys show differences in users’ repair strategy preferences and assistant usage, with both similarities and disparities among the two surveyed languages. These results shed light on inequalities between interactional language in human-human interaction and human-machine interaction, underscoring the need for further research on the impact of interactional language on human-machine interaction in English and beyond.

Treball de fi de màster en Lingüística Teòrica i Aplicada. Directora: Martina Wiltschko