Substantivbezug

Substantivbezug is a term used in linguistics to describe how a noun phrase (Substantiv plus its determiner or accompanying elements) refers to an entity in discourse or in the real world. It covers the relationship between the noun, its modifiers, and the referent that the expression denotes, including how definiteness, number, and case mark the connection.

Key aspects of Substantivbezug include reference type, deictic anchoring, and referential coherence. Reference can be direct or indirect, definite or indefinite, and may be generic (referring to a class rather than a specific instance). Deictic elements such as this, that, or demonstratives anchor the noun to the current context, while anaphoric elements link a noun to a previously introduced antecedent to maintain coherence across sentences.

In German grammar, Substantivbezug interacts with determiners and article use. Definite noun phrases (the woman) convey a specific, identifiable referent, while indefinite phrases (a woman) introduce a new entity. Proper nouns provide direct referential anchoring, and possessive or demonstrative determinants refine the referent within discourse. The noun’s case, number, and gender morphology can influence agreement with adjectives and verbs and affect how the referent is tracked in the text.

Pragmatic and discourse considerations also play a role. Substantivbezug supports informativeness and cohesion by signaling whether a referent is known to the listener, whether it is being new information, and how it relates to other entities in the narrative.

See also: reference, deixis, anaphora, definiteness, noun phrase.