ChatGPT-4 and Italian Dialects: Assessing Linguistic Competence

The purpose of this study is to evaluate ChatGPT-4’s language proficiency in Italian dialects. At the outset, it is clarified what is meant by ‘language ability’ within the context of Large Language Models. This involves identifying the tasks that ChatGPT might face in real-world scenarios, from whi...

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Main Author: Silvia Lilli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Bologna 2023-12-01
Series:Umanistica Digitale
Subjects:
Online Access:https://umanisticadigitale.unibo.it/article/view/18221
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author Silvia Lilli
author_facet Silvia Lilli
author_sort Silvia Lilli
collection DOAJ
description The purpose of this study is to evaluate ChatGPT-4’s language proficiency in Italian dialects. At the outset, it is clarified what is meant by ‘language ability’ within the context of Large Language Models. This involves identifying the tasks that ChatGPT might face in real-world scenarios, from which we can derive inferential assumptions regarding its linguistic ability. The skills identified, which served as foundation for test design, include comprehension and translation, dialect recognition, analysis of the distinctive features, error detection, text production, interaction, theoretical background, and self-assessment. The tests were crafted to mimic situations requiring these competencies, trying to emulate authentic ChatGPT-User interactions. The results highlight ChatGPT’s excellent prowess in understanding and recognizing Italian dialects and their subvarieties, and a robust background and awareness of its own knowledge. However, the model exhibits significant gaps in analytical skills and struggles with text production and interactive tasks, suggesting superior passive linguistic capabilities compared to active ones.
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spelling doaj.art-8757185abdb0416fb3a37e03fdc440492023-12-15T14:17:41ZengUniversity of BolognaUmanistica Digitale2532-88162023-12-011623526310.6092/issn.2532-8816/1822116580ChatGPT-4 and Italian Dialects: Assessing Linguistic CompetenceSilvia Lilli0University of Rome "Tor Vergata"The purpose of this study is to evaluate ChatGPT-4’s language proficiency in Italian dialects. At the outset, it is clarified what is meant by ‘language ability’ within the context of Large Language Models. This involves identifying the tasks that ChatGPT might face in real-world scenarios, from which we can derive inferential assumptions regarding its linguistic ability. The skills identified, which served as foundation for test design, include comprehension and translation, dialect recognition, analysis of the distinctive features, error detection, text production, interaction, theoretical background, and self-assessment. The tests were crafted to mimic situations requiring these competencies, trying to emulate authentic ChatGPT-User interactions. The results highlight ChatGPT’s excellent prowess in understanding and recognizing Italian dialects and their subvarieties, and a robust background and awareness of its own knowledge. However, the model exhibits significant gaps in analytical skills and struggles with text production and interactive tasks, suggesting superior passive linguistic capabilities compared to active ones.https://umanisticadigitale.unibo.it/article/view/18221chatgptllmsitalian dialectslanguage testinglanguage abilitiesmachine translation
spellingShingle Silvia Lilli
ChatGPT-4 and Italian Dialects: Assessing Linguistic Competence
Umanistica Digitale
chatgpt
llms
italian dialects
language testing
language abilities
machine translation
title ChatGPT-4 and Italian Dialects: Assessing Linguistic Competence
title_full ChatGPT-4 and Italian Dialects: Assessing Linguistic Competence
title_fullStr ChatGPT-4 and Italian Dialects: Assessing Linguistic Competence
title_full_unstemmed ChatGPT-4 and Italian Dialects: Assessing Linguistic Competence
title_short ChatGPT-4 and Italian Dialects: Assessing Linguistic Competence
title_sort chatgpt 4 and italian dialects assessing linguistic competence
topic chatgpt
llms
italian dialects
language testing
language abilities
machine translation
url https://umanisticadigitale.unibo.it/article/view/18221
work_keys_str_mv AT silvialilli chatgpt4anditaliandialectsassessinglinguisticcompetence