ChatGTPは人間と議論できる

ChatGTPと議論するという実験を何度かしてみた。下に紹介するのは「パスポート1通でも複数扱いか？」、「マッターホルンという山の名前に定冠詞がつくのはなぜか？」というもの。

ChatGTPは「身分証明書という意味ならpapersは常に複数」と答えたが、マッターホルン問題では言を左右にして逃げ回った。しかし結局「土地の慣習だ。theがあってもなくも山は山」と居直ったのがおかしかった。

＞結局のところ、山名にtheを使うかどうかは、その土地の用法や慣習、あるいは個人の好みに基づいて決めればよいのです。いずれにせよ、theがあってもなくても、山名そのものの意味や意味が変わることはありません。

AIがこれほど自然な議論ができるようになるとは思わなかった。AIサービスが利用する大規模言語モデルは大量の言語資料から単語の相関を抽出するもの。たとえば「梅干し」という単語の後に「弁当」という単語が出現する確率を調べ、さらに「梅干し弁当」という言葉連鎖の後に出現する単語の種類、確率を調べる、といったもの。そうした原理から例のような高度な応答ができるまでになったのは驚異的。

マッターホルンにtheが必要とされる理由はChatGTPのデータベースに入っていなかったようだが、ChatGTPの進歩は急速なので近く改善されると思う。後日同じ質問をしてみたい。マッターホルンにtheがつく理由は別項目で説明したい。

下に応答全文を貼っておくが、質問は筆者がその場でタイピングしたものなので英語としてタイポその他の誤りがあるかと思うが、意味は通じた。

Q: As to the English word "papers", is it plural or singular?
GTP: "Papers" is a plural noun in English.
Q: When "papers" mean some kind of documentation, is it correct to say "There are papers on the table", when there is only one passport on the table?
GTP: Yes, it is still correct to say "There are papers on the table" even if there is only one document (such as a passport) on the table. In this context, "papers" can refer to any type of written or printed document, regardless of the number of individual pieces.

Q: Why some of the mountains in the Alps, such as the Matterhorn, need definite article?
GTP: The definite article "the" is used with specific, well-known geographical features, including mountain ranges and peaks. The use of "the" indicates that the mountain is unique and specific, and the speaker and listener both know exactly which one is being referred to. In the case of the Matterhorn, it is a famous and well-known peak in the Swiss Alps, so it is referred to as "the Matterhorn".
Q: OK, but Everest and Kilimanjaro are very famous mountains, but they do not take definite articles. Can you tell me the reason?
GTP: The reason why "Everest" and "Kilimanjaro" don't take a definite article is because they are named after the people who first surveyed them, and the names of these mountains have become proper nouns over time. Proper nouns, which are the names of specific people, places, or things, typically do not take articles in English. As a result, "Everest" and "Kilimanjaro" are referred to without articles, as if they were proper names. Additionally, both of these mountains are also well-known and recognizable, so the lack of an article still implies a specific, unique reference.
Q: It is understandable that proper names don't take "the", but "Matterhorn" is also a proper name, isn't it?
GTP: Yes, you are correct. "Matterhorn" is indeed a proper noun and the use of "the" with it is somewhat of an exception. In the case of the Matterhorn, it is both a proper noun and a well-known geographical feature, so it can take the definite article "the". The use of "the" emphasizes its uniqueness and specificity, even though it is a proper noun. This is similar to the way other well-known landmarks, such as "the Eiffel Tower" or "the Grand Canyon", take the definite article.
GTP: Many of the Alps mountains seem to take "the", such as ”the Alphubel" or "the Weissmies" both of which I don't think a very much prominent. Whereas prominent mountains in other areas, such as "Shasta" in the U. S. does not take "the". Do you have any idea that can explain the phenomenon?
GTP: The use of "the" with geographical features like mountains is not a consistent rule in English and can vary depending on various factors such as the region, the prominence of the mountain, and local usage. In the Alps, it seems to be more common to use "the" with the names of mountains, even those that may not be as well-known as others, as a way to refer to them as specific and unique features of the landscape. On the other hand, the naming convention for mountains in the United States, such as "Shasta," may differ and not typically use "the."
Ultimately, whether or not to use "the" with a mountain name can be based on local usage and convention, as well as personal preference. In any case, the lack or presence of "the" does not change the meaning or reference of the mountain name itself.

画像はWikipediaのZermatt村の記事から
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Zermatt

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アイキャッチ画像：By The Opte Projectbkrqayd232@gmail.com - Originally from the English Wikipedia; description page is/was here., CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1538544