definitereferring

Definitereferring is a term used in linguistics to describe the use of definite referring expressions to identify a specific entity within a discourse or shared context. A definite referring expression denotes a unique, identifiable object, as opposed to indefinite expressions that introduce non-specific entities. In English, definite referring is commonly realized with the definite article the, but it also occurs with demonstratives such as this and that, as well as proper names used to refer to known individuals.

In use, definite references rely on the listener’s ability to identify a single referent given the current context, prior discourse, and common ground between speaker and hearer. The referent is presumed to be salient, familiar, or uniquely identifiable at the point of reference. This contrasts with indefinite referring, which introduces a non-specified entity without asserting that it is uniquely identifiable in the shared context.

Theoretical approaches to definiteness include Fregean and Russellian analyses, as well as more contemporary dynamic and discourse-based theories. Frege emphasized a mode of presentation that makes a referent uniquely identifiable. Russell treated definite descriptions as part of a logical form that denotes an object only if there is a unique candidate in the discourse. Modern theories often foreground context, information structure, and accessibility: definiteness arises from common ground, familiarity, salience, and discourse status.

Cross-linguistic variation is notable. Some languages possess explicit definite articles; others rely on demonstratives, word order, or case marking. Some languages lack definite articles entirely, signaling definiteness through alternative means. In computation and natural language processing, recognizing definite referring expressions is important for coreference resolution, translation, and discourse modeling.