Verbalization of Dynamic Sketch Maps: Layers of Representation and their Interaction

While describing sketch maps speakers choose between at least two conceptual layers of representation: the layer representing graphical entities and the layer representing real world entities. In this paper we discuss the mechanisms and principles that underlie these choices. We describe an empirical study in which subjects produce elicited verbalizations of dynamically presented sketch maps. In this study we used two different conditions for verbalization: an on-line (i.e. simultaneous) and an off-line (i.e. non-simultaneous) condition. In both conditions there is no uniform decision for one layer, neither between subjects not within subjects. Rather, both layers seem to be simultaneously accessible during conceptualization. Furthermore, there is a weak tendency in favour of the real world layer in the off-line production, whereas in the online condition there is a competition between the layers.