Osóbwhen

Osóbwhen is a fictional term used in linguistics to describe a hypothetical type of temporal reference that binds a time expression to the perspective of a discourse participant. The name blends osóB (a stand-in for person) with when, and it is used to label constructions where the timing of an event is anchored to an individual’s point of view rather than to the speaker or to an absolute timeline.

Definition and features

Osóbwhen refers to discourse phenomena in which the time of an event is interpreted relative to a specific person. This perspective-bound timing can be realized in various ways, such as with dedicated particles, affixes, or fixed phrases in a constructed language or theoretical model. The key property is that the temporal specification carries information about who is experiencing or observing the event, shaping how the event’s timing is interpreted.

Usage and typology

In osóbwhen constructions, sentences typically foreground subjectivity by tying the time reference to a particular participant. It is distinct from standard tense semantics because the temporal anchor is not universal but person-specific. The concept is often discussed in theoretical or experimental contexts to explore how time and perspective interact in narrative discourse.

Examples

Osóbwhen Maria woke up, she remembered the dream. Here the waking time is presented as being from Maria’s perspective. Osóbwhen they arrived, the room grew quiet illustrates how the event’s timing is tied to the participants’ experience rather than an external clock.

Relation to other concepts

Osóbwhen is related to topics such as perspective-taking, evidentiality, and narrative temporality. It is used mainly as a theoretical construct to examine how person-centered time references might function in language.

See also

Narrative tense, perspective markers, time reference.