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Managing ambiguity in reference generation : the role of surface structure

<22>This article exemplifies a new research programme which blends Computing and Psychology; in short, psycholinguistic experiments optimize the behaviour of a computer program that generates textual expressions. This research programme has led directly to 3 cross-disciplinary CogSci workshops (2009, 2011, 2013) on the Production of Referring Expressions, and the EPSRC network “RefNet: an Interdisciplinary Network Focussing on Reference” (2012-2015, Van Deemter and Bard, EP/J01950X/1). The article is unique in focussing on the syntax of the generated expressions. It shows that readers do not always prefer clear expressions, especially when clarity comes at the expense of brevity.