Bi-Directional Optimality Theory: An Application of Game Theory
Paul Dekker, Robert van Rooy

Abstract:
Optimality Theory catches on in linguistics, first in phonology, then
in syntax, and recently also at the semantics / pragmatics
interface. In this paper we point at some parallels between some
principles employed in optimality theoretic interpretation, and some
notions from the well studied field of Game Theory. Optimality
theoretic interpretation can be defined as what we call an
"interpretation game", and optimality itself can be viewed
as a solution concept for a game. More in particular, optimality can
be characterized in terms of the game-theoretical notion of a `Nash
Equilibrium'.