On bidirectional Optimality Theory for dynamic contexts

In this paper we study context–sensitive versions of bidirectional Optimality Theory (OT) which can be used to model online communication. Our guiding examples are taken from anaphora resolution. We discuss a puzzle presented by Jason Mattausch which shows that context–sensitivity may lead into circularity. In order to represent it, we have to introduce more expressive mathematical structures for BiOT. We call the fundamental structures Blutner structures. A core problem is to account for the epistemic asymmetry between speaker and hearer in online communication. This leads us to Blutner structures which combine bidirectional OT with Dynamic Semantics.