Referencial

Referencial is a term used in Portuguese and Spanish to denote something related to reference, reference points, or frames of reference. As a noun, it can refer to a reference point, standard, or framework; as an adjective, it describes something that pertains to reference or referents.

In linguistics and semiotics, referential meaning is a key concept. The expression referential, or the function referential (función referencial in Spanish, função referencial in Portuguese), describes language that is oriented toward the real world and its entities. Messages at this level aim to convey factual information about objects, events, or properties, with the referents playing the central role.

Beyond linguistics, referencial is widely used in academic and professional contexts to name theoretical, methodological, or curricular frameworks. Examples include referencial teórico (theoretical framework), referencial curricular (curricular reference framework), and referencial metodológico (methodological framework). These usages designate the set of concepts, standards, and procedures that guide analysis, research, or instruction.

In science and engineering, referencial commonly appears in the notion of frames of reference, or referentials of coordinates. A frame of reference defines the coordinate system and viewpoint from which measurements of position, motion, or other properties are made; inertial referentials are a typical category in physics.

In English-language usage, the term referential exists but is less common; the more frequent equivalents are reference, frame of reference, or referential framework, depending on the context. Overall, referencial serves as a versatile label across disciplines for elements that provide orientation, grounding, or points of comparison.