Linguists should learn to love speech-based deep learning models

Marianne de Heer Kloots; Paul Boersma; Willem Zuidema

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arXiv · 2512.14506

Linguists should learn to love speech-based deep learning models

Marianne de Heer Kloots·Paul Boersma·Willem Zuidema

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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.

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Marianne de Heer Kloots, Paul Boersma, Willem Zuidema. 2025-12-16. Linguists should learn to love speech-based deep learning models. https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.14506

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