Referring in Language

Referential expressions include terms such as determiners proper names noun phrases pronouns and all other expressions that we use to make reference to things beings or events. The first of its kind this book presents a detailed integrated account of typical and atypical uses of referential expressions combining insights from discourse cognitive and psycholinguistic literature within a functional model of language. It first establishes a foundation for reference including an overview of key influences in the study of reference the debates surrounding (in)definiteness and a functional description of referring expressions. It then draws on a variety of approaches to provide a comprehensive explanation of atypical uses including referring in an uncollaborative context indefinite expressions used for definite reference reference by and for children and finally metonymic reference with a special focus on metonymy in medical contexts. Comprehensive in scope it is essential reading for academic researchers in syntax discourse analysis and cognitive linguistics.