Referring Expressions, Pragmatics, and Style: Reference and Beyond

Reference is a major theme in language and language use, and this book provides a relevance-theoretic account of reference resolution. It discusses a range of referring expressions, including definite descriptions, demonstratives, and pronouns, and shows how speakers can use them to communicate information about their attitudes and emotions and create stylistic and poetic effects. The analyses in this book take seriously the idea that referring expressions can contribute to meaning and communication in a way that goes beyond reference.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 199 pages
Publication date: 09 June 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The study of language and language use is greatly influenced by the concept of reference, which plays a central role. This book offers a relevance-theoretic account of reference resolution, which enhances our understanding of procedurally encoded meaning. By examining the function and role of reference resolution, the book contributes to a deeper comprehension of how referring expressions convey meaning.

A wide array of referring expressions, including definite descriptions, demonstratives, and pronouns, are explored in detail. While previous research on the pragmatics of reference has primarily focused on resolving reference, it is important to recognize that speakers can employ referring expressions to convey a wide range of additional information. Speakers' choices of expression can convey their attitudes and emotions, and referring expressions can also be used to create stylistic and poetic effects.

The analyses presented in this book broaden the scope to consider these broader effects. The discussions and arguments within the book take seriously the idea that referring expressions can contribute to meaning and communication in ways that extend beyond mere reference. By exploring the multifaceted aspects of reference and its role in language, this book offers valuable insights into the complex nature of language and its uses.

ISBN-13: 9781316628478