Skip to content

Inferring L1 Backgrounds from L2 English with LLM Token Probabilities

Oct 2026 · 0 citations · 14 references
Computer Science

TL;DR

This work investigates a token probability approach that scores each text sample as a continuation of a prompt prefix specifying a candidate L1, then predicts the candidate with the highest score, which substantially improves on direct classification.

Abstract

Native language identification (NLI) infers a non-native speaker's first language (L1) from their second language (L2) production. We investigate a token probability approach that scores each text sample as a continuation of a prompt prefix specifying a candidate L1, then predicts the candidate with the highest score. We evaluate our approach using Llama 3.1 8B and 70B on three datasets: TOEFL9, Write and Improve 2024, and BULATS-L1. We compare its performance with previous prompting-based classification approaches. Token-probability scoring substantially improves on direct classification, particularly with the 8B model, while the 70B model achieves state-of-the-art performance across all datasets. Our results indicate that pretrained LLMs'token probabilities contain information useful for distinguishing L1 backgrounds from L2 English production.

View source

Similar papers

#computer vision Review Sep 2017

Agile Software Development Methods: Review and Analysis

This publication proposes a definition and a classification of agile software development approaches and analyses ten software development methods that can be characterized as being "agile" against the defined criterion.

P. Abrahamsson, O. Salo, Jussi Ronkainen et al. · 727 citations · ⚡54
#computer vision Open access Jul 2017

What happens when software developers are (un)happy

Consequences of happiness and unhappiness that are beneficial and detrimental for developers' mental well-being, the software development process, and the produced artifacts are found.

D. Graziotin, Fabian Fagerholm, Xiaofeng Wang et al. · 236 citations · ⚡13
#computer vision Open access Oct 2004

Mobile-D: an agile approach for mobile application development

The Mobile-D approach is briefly outlined here and the experiences gained from four case studies are discussed, which helped develop an agile development approach for mobile application development.

P. Abrahamsson, Antti Hanhineva, H. Hulkko et al. · 225 citations · ⚡18
#artificial intelligence Open access May 2023

Evaluating the Performance of Large Language Models on GAOKAO Benchmark

GAOKAO-Bench is introduced, an intuitive benchmark that employs questions from the Chinese GAOKAO examination as test samples, including both subjective and objective questions that contribute a robust evaluation benchmark for future large language models and offers valuable insights into the advantages and limitations...

Xiaotian Zhang, Chun-yan Li, Yi Zong et al. · 216 citations · ⚡17
#computer vision Open access Mar 2014

Happy software developers solve problems better: psychological measurements in empirical software engineering

A study with 42 participants investigates the relationship between the affective states, creativity, and analytical problem-solving skills of software developers and offers support for the claim that happy developers are indeed better problem solvers in terms of their analytical abilities.

D. Graziotin, Xiaofeng Wang, P. Abrahamsson · 216 citations · ⚡13
#machine learning Review Open access Jun 2014

Why Early-Stage Software Startups Fail: A Behavioral Framework

This state-of-practice investigation was performed using a literature review followed by a multiple-case study approach and presents how inconsistency between managerial strategies and execution can lead to failure by means of a behavioral framework.

Carmine Giardino, Xiaofeng Wang, P. Abrahamsson · 175 citations · ⚡19

Related blog posts

Microsoft Research Blog Oct 22, 2026

Flint-interactive: A language for creating interactive data visualizations

Flint-interactive gives AI agents a language for creating interactive visualizations. Click a chart, filter data, highlight related content, and explore beyond the view the author originally chose. The post Flint-interactive: A language for creating interactive data visualizations appeared first on Microsoft Research.

We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads. See our Cookie Policy.