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 (Frank and Goodman, 2012). 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.

Tasks

Reproductions