Referenten

Referenten is the plural form of Referent, a term used in German with several related meanings. In linguistics and semiotics, a referent denotes the real-world object or entity that a linguistic expression stands for. It is the thing referred to by a word or phrase, as opposed to its sense or symbol. For example, in the sentence "Der Hund schläft," the referent is the dog in the world; in other contexts a term may refer to a class of objects, a plan, or a concept.

In organizational and communicative contexts, a Referent is a person who presents information to an audience, i.e., a speaker or lecturer at meetings, conferences, or seminars. The referent prepares content, introduces topics, and answers questions. This usage is common in event schedules, internal communications, and academic settings.

In the German public administration and civil service, Referent is a formal job title. A Referent is typically a mid-level official or adviser with responsibility in a policy area, often involved in research, drafting documents, coordinating projects, and policy evaluation. The term denotes both a function and a rank within the Beamtentum (civil service).

The term should not be confused with Referenz, which means reference or citation, or with Referat, which refers to a written or oral presentation. The meanings of Referent and Referenten thus span linguistics, public speaking, and public administration, with distinct implications in each context.