Cognitive Modelling Issues in Direct-Manipulative Human-Computer Interaction

We propose here a new approach to modelling user interfaces, based on the thesis that the linguistically motivated approach of dialogue modelling is often not entirely adequate. Instead of assuming a human dialogue type of interaction, the notion of manipulating an artificial environment is used as the base for modelling the interaction with graphical computer systems. Some linguistic ideas from the area of pragmatics are taken on board to drive the envisaged model. This approach will be incorporated in an implementation of a tool that can help building user interfaces.