Discourseremains

Discourseremains is a term used in linguistics and computational linguistics to refer to leftover or residual elements within a discourse that are not directly part of the current communicative act but may still hold relevance or influence. These remains can manifest in various forms, such as previously mentioned topics, implicit assumptions, or even unresolved ambiguities from earlier parts of a conversation or text. Understanding discourseremains is crucial for effective discourse processing, as their presence can affect how new information is interpreted and integrated.

In spoken conversation, discourseremains can be evident in the form of a speaker referencing something said minutes or even hours prior, expecting the listener to recall the context. This can include pronouns whose antecedents are distant, or allusions to shared experiences. In written discourse, these remains might be found in the form of abandoned plot threads in a novel or unaddressed questions in an essay. Computational models of discourse often struggle with discourseremains, as they require sophisticated memory and inference capabilities to track and utilize these elements effectively. Ignoring discourseremains can lead to misunderstandings, a loss of coherence, and a failure to grasp the full meaning of a communicative exchange. Therefore, recognizing and accounting for these residual elements is a key aspect of successful communication.