desselbedesselbe

Desselbedesselbe is a coined term in theoretical linguistics and philosophy of language that designates a particular type of referential sameness in discourse. It describes situations in which multiple determiner forms or nominal phrases appear within a single text and nonetheless point to the same referent, illustrating how context governs definiteness and identity.

Etymology: The word blends several German determiners that express sameness (derselbe, dieselbe, denselben, dasselbe) and adds a suffix to emphasize repetition. It is a conceptual device used mainly in theoretical discussions and is not a standard term in mainstream grammar.

Definition and usage: In reference theory, desselbedesselbe serves to illustrate how different grammatical forms can designate the same object when the discourse context fixes the referent. It helps analyze definiteness marking, anaphora, and cross-sentential reference, showing that identity can be preserved across form variants.

Example: In German, a discourse might include: "Ich traf denselben Mann wie gestern; der Mann, den ich heute sah, war derselbe." Here, the two determiner forms refer to the same individual, an instance of desselbedesselbe in action.

Relation to related concepts: It overlaps with identity statements, indexicality, and reference resolution, and is sometimes discussed in pedagogical or theoretical contexts as a thought experiment to illuminate how sameness can be conveyed through different phrasing.

Notes: Since desselbedesselbe is a fictional or theoretical construct, there are no formal references. It is used to aid discussion and clarification rather than to denote an established grammatical category.