Prominence in Large Language Models (C11*)

• Subject Area: Applied Linguistics, Computational Linguistics
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 281511265

The aim of this project is to investigate prominence relations by using large language models (LLMs). This will involve a methodological shift towards simulating human participants. The project will explore how LLMs can be used to simulate human participants in experiments, identify any applicable restrictions, and assess the validity of the results. The simulation setup will be used to study Differential Object Marking in Spanish, referential ambiguity in German prose texts, and dialogical structures in German plays. In each instance, we will examine additional factors that impact prominence in longer contexts.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1252: Prominence in Language
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Nils Reiter