Refersse

Refersse is a hypothetical term used in semantics to describe a proposed mechanism by which referential expressions convey not only the referent’s identity but also a structured set of contextual cues that help a listener interpret that referent in discourse. It is presented as a frame-like approach to reference, emphasizing how context transforms a label into a specific interpretation.

The coinage combines elements of referential theory with an emphasis on grounding in being, signaling that reference is a situated act rather than a simple label. In this view, the term carries a referential frame that includes cues such as salience, discourse focus, speaker intention, and situational context. The listener uses these cues to reconstruct the intended referent from among possible candidates.

In application, refersse posits that a referential expression activates a bundle of contextual information stored in a discourse model. This bundle helps resolve ambiguity, maintain reference across sentences, and adapt to shifts in attention or perspective. For example, a demonstrative like this or that would not merely point to a physical object but would invoke a frame that prioritizes the most salient object in the current discourse, supplemented by gestural or spatial cues when available.

Relation to other concepts is one of its main points of discussion. Refersse intersects with deixis, indexicals, and anaphora, as well as dynamic and context-sensitive theories of meaning. Critics argue that it adds theoretical complexity without clear empirical grounding and may overlap with existing frameworks rather than offering distinct predictive power.

Overall, refersse remains a speculative concept in linguistic theory, discussed primarily in thought experiments and theoretical papers rather than as an established standard in semantics.