Modelling Pro-drop with the Rational Speech Acts Model

Abstract

We extend the classic Referring Expressions Generation task by considering zero pronouns in pro-drop languages such as Chinese, modelling their use by means of the Bayesian Rational Speech Acts model. By assuming that highly salient referents are most likely to be referred to by zero pronouns (i.e., pro-drop is more likely for salient referents than the less salient ones), the model offers an attractive explanation of a phenomenon not previously addressed probabilistically.