Linguists should learn to love speech-based deep learning models

2025/12/16 by Marianne de Heer Kloots, Paul Boersma, Kloots, Marianne de Heer +3 · 1 voice
#cs.CL #cs.SD #eess.AS #q-bio.NC

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2512.14506

Abstract

Futrell and Mahowald present a useful framework bridging technology-oriented deep learning systems and explanation-oriented linguistic theories. Unfortunately, the target article's focus on generative text-based LLMs fundamentally limits fruitful interactions with linguistics, as many interesting questions on human language fall outside what is captured by written text. We argue that audio-based deep learning models can and should play a crucial role.

Citations

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Discussions

• 'Tis the season to preprint BBS commentaries; I'm happy to share ours too! 🎄✨ The textual basis of current LLMs causes trouble, but linguistically relevant insights *can* be found in systems modellin [bsky, 28 points, 1 comments]

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