logophors

Logophors, or logophoric pronouns, are a class of pronoun-like forms used in some languages to indicate the source or point of view of information in embedded clauses such as reported speech, thoughts, or perceptions. They mark the discourse participant whose perspective is being reported and are distinct from ordinary subject or object pronouns.

Morphology and distribution: In languages with logophoricity, logophors may be a dedicated pronoun, a clitic, or an affix. They typically appear in subordinate clauses that report speech or cognition and often interact with quotative or evidential marking. Their availability and form vary cross-linguistically, and they may have specific binding or agreement conditions that limit which antecedents they can reference.

Functions and semantics: Logophors help signal who is the source of the content and can distinguish direct or indirect speech, inner thoughts, or perceptual reports. They often co-occur with a main clause subject or with the perspective holder, and their use can affect the interpretation of who is responsible for the content.

Typology and significance: Although logophoric systems are not universal, they are well documented in a number of languages and are studied within the fields of syntax, semantics, and discourse analysis. They contribute to understanding how languages encode perspective, source reliability, and information structure beyond standard person pronouns.

See also: logophoric pronoun, quotative, evidential, discourse perspective.