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Signal Non Understanding

Definition

Used when: the source argument explicitly indicates a problem in understanding the target argument. As an applicability test for Signal-non-understanding, you should be able to roughly paraphrase a Signal-non-understanding utterance as "What did you say/mean?". Note that not all clarification questions signal non-understanding. Typically requests to repeat or clarify previous utterances.

Examples

Context: utt1: A: Take the train to Dansville
SNU B: Huh?. (i.e., What did you say?)
SNU B: What did you say?. (i.e., What did you say?)
SNU B: to Dansville? (i.e., What did you say?)
SNU B: did you say Dansville? (i.e., What did you say?)
SNU B: Dansville, New York? (i.e., What did you mean?)
SNU B: Which train? (i.e., What did you mean?)

Examples from SWBD-DAMSL.

(4) Engineer: Gold Gate and Cities of Abandon.
(5) Pilot: Which one?
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(5) -- SignalNonUnderstanding --> (4)

In (5), the Pilot is indicating they did not hear or understand the locations mentioned by the Engineer in (4), by asking for the same information again.

NON-Examples

(1) A: We should go to the store.
(2) B: Which store?
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(**NOT** a SignalNonUnderstanding)

In (2), B is NOT indicating a problem in understanding A's utterance in (1), but is instead asking for more details not provided in (1).