Universität zu Köln

Li, Yuting ORCID: 0000-0003-2730-9772 (2026). Temporal and spatial distance: An experimental study on pronoun resolution in Instant Messaging dialogue. PhD thesis, Universität zu Köln.

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Abstract

This dissertation investigates how interactional and interface-related features in Instant Messaging (IM), such as message editing, emoji reactions, and layered interface design, shape discourse prominence and influence the resolution of referring expressions such as pronouns in IM dialogue. Two research questions guide this work. First, when temporal and spatial distance cues diverge, as when an edited message is temporally close but spatially distant in the chat interface, which cue more strongly determines referent prominence? Second, does the placement of an utterance in the main channel versus the back channel affect the prominence of its referents? Four controlled experiments were conducted using dynamic chat stimuli that replicate real-world IM interfaces. Participants resolved ambiguous pronouns in scripted dialogues in which spatial position, temporal order, and channel placement were systematically manipulated. The results consistently show that spatial distance outweighs temporal distance in determining referent prominence. In addition, utterances placed in the main channel significantly increase referent prominence compared to equivalent utterances presented in the back channel. The findings demonstrate that recency in IM dialogue cannot be explained solely through linear temporal progression. Discourse interpretation in digitally mediated communication is shaped by the interaction between temporal sequencing, spatial organization, and channel placement. The dissertation also offers a systematic account of temporal and spatial distance and defines the main and back channel in IM dialogue. These findings carry implications for IM platform design and for natural language processing systems engaged in reference resolution, dialogue summarization, and chatbot response generation.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD thesis)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Li, Yuting yuting.li@uni-koeln.de https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2730-9772 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-803875
Date:	14 May 2026
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Fächergruppe 3: Deutsche Sprache und Literatur > Institut für Deutsche Sprache und Literatur I
Subjects:	Language, Linguistics
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language instant messaging dialogue English temporal recency English referent prominence English main and back channel English reference resolution English discourse coherence English spatial recency English
Date of oral exam:	18 December 2025
Referee:	Name Academic Title Jasinskaja, Katja PD Dr. Bonifazi, Anna Prof. Dr. Schumacher, Petra Prof. Dr.
Funders:	DFG (German Research Foundation) – Project-ID 281511265, SFB 1252 “Prominence in Language” (C06)
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/80387