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Reference and Inference Explained

The document discusses the concepts of reference and inference in language, highlighting how speakers use various linguistic forms to help listeners identify specific entities. It distinguishes between referential and attributive uses of language, and explains the importance of co-text and context in understanding meaning. Additionally, it covers anaphoric reference, which involves continuing to identify the same entity through different expressions.

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17 views1 page

Reference and Inference Explained

The document discusses the concepts of reference and inference in language, highlighting how speakers use various linguistic forms to help listeners identify specific entities. It distinguishes between referential and attributive uses of language, and explains the importance of co-text and context in understanding meaning. Additionally, it covers anaphoric reference, which involves continuing to identify the same entity through different expressions.

Uploaded by

Trương Mỹ Dung
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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1.

Reference and inference


 Reference: a speaker/writer uses linguistic forms to enable a listener/reader to
identify sth
 Referring expressions
 Proper nouns (Ha Noi)
 Noun phrases: definite (The girl), indefinite (A girl)
 Pronouns (He, it)
 Inference: connecting prior knowledge to text-based information to create
meaning beyond what is directly stated
2. Referential and attributive use
 Referential use: A specific person/thing is referred to (There’s a man waiting
for you in the room)
 Attributive use: whoever/whatever fits the description (I love to marry a
handsome guy)
3. Names and referents:
 The version of reference being presented here is one in which there is a basic
“intention-to-identify” and a “recognition-of-intention” collaboration at work.
(Brazil wins world cup)
4. The role of co-text
 Co-text: Linguistic part of the environment (Cheese sandwich is made with
bread)
 Context: Physical environment (The cheese sandwich left without paying)
5. Anaphoric reference
 The process of continuing to identify exactly the same entity as denoted by the
antecedent.
 Range of expressions used for anaphoric reference:
 Pronouns
 Definite noun phrase
 Zero anaphora (ellipsis)

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