Null referring expressions in a conversational context

Two contexts where null referring expressions seem to be the most appropriate form for tracking referents in Persian conversation are discussed in this paper. The null referring expression is the unmarked form of tracking referents in both contexts. One context is where a referent acts as the protagonist of the discourse and has a role of primary importance. The other context is where there is a general schema in the sense discussed by Fillmore (1975), Prince (1981) and Chafe (1987). In these contexts, however, where Persian speakers’ preference is for null referring expressions, English speakers’ preference is for a pronominal form.