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8 - Indefinite Expressions for Referring Definitely

from Part III - Atypical Reference

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 June 2023

Lise Fontaine
Affiliation:
Cardiff University
Katy Jones
Affiliation:
Cardiff University
David Schönthal
Affiliation:
Cardiff University
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Summary

This chapter provides a detailed account of the atypical use of a certain type of indefinite referring expression. Contrary to the established view that indefinite expressions cannot be used for uniquely identifiable reference, we show that this is not always the case. Using written texts from opinion writing in newspaper discourse, we detail how writers can create an adequately definite shared space with their readers to allow an indefinite expression to be understood as referring to an established entity. The cotextual and contextual scaffolding put in place by the writer is sufficient for the indefinite expression to be understood as identifiable. The chapter also discusses the reasons why a writer would want to override normal accessibility considerations. Writers use these atypical expressions to ensure the association to an old, identifiable referent remains explicit by exploiting contextually and co-textually established information which is tied to the context or ongoing discourse.

Type
Chapter
Information
Referring in Language
An Integrated Approach
, pp. 150 - 174
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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