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This paper explores importance marking in the academic lectures of different disciplines from a functional perspective. Drawing on a corpus-driven and discourse analytic approach, we extracted the importance markers of this study from the 160 English academic lectures of the BASE corpus, which are equally distributed in the four main academic disciplinary groups of arts and humanities, social studies, physical sciences, and life and medical sciences. First, it was observed that in highlighting importance, the discipline the speaker lectures in does not make a difference. Second, we observed that, irrespective of discipline, marking importance involves (1) pointing up the lecture, (2) expressing attitudinal evaluation according to a hierarchy of importance, (3) stating which topics need extensive coverage, (4) revealing what is likely to appear in the assessment, and (5) establishing interaction with the audience. Finally, ‘life and medical sciences’ lecturers were found to involve the students in the lecture more frequently than the lecturers of other disciplinary groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variation in referential form has traditionally been accounted for by theoretical frameworks focusing on linguistic and discourse features. Despite the explosion of interest in eye tracking methods in psycholinguistics, the role of visual scanning behaviour in informative reference production is yet to be comprehensively investigated. Here we examine the relationship between speakers' fixations to relevant referents and the form of the referring expressions they produce. Overall, speakers were fully informative across simple and (to a lesser extent) more complex displays, providing appropriately modified referring expressions to enable their addressee to locate the target object. Analysis of contrast fixations revealed that looking at a contrast object boosts but is not essential for full informativeness. Contrast fixations which take place immediately before speaking provide the greatest boost. Informative referring expressions were also associated with later speech onsets than underinformative ones. Based on the finding that fixations during speech planning facilitate but do not fully predict informative referring, direct visual scanning is ruled out as a prerequisite for informativeness. Instead, pragmatic expectations of informativeness may play a more important role. Results are consistent with a goal-based link between eye movements and language processing, here applied for the first time to production processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine discourse factors that are involved in the occurrence of intra/inter-sentential cataphora. On the basis of a corpus analysis of natural language, we test two cognitive theories that attempt to explain the phenomenon of cataphora: clausal backgrounding ( Harris and Bates, 2002 ) and Accessibility Theory ( Ariel, 1990 ). In the first part of the paper, we investigate the presence of cataphoric he , she, it and they in a corpus annotated with nucleus-satellite labels ( Mann and Thompson, 1988 ), which are interpreted to be discourse correlates of the foreground-background distinction. The analysis shows that cataphora cannot be restricted to backgrounded parts of texts, and that backgrounding as an explanation for the occurrence of cataphora cannot be applied at the discourse level. In the second part of the paper, we investigate a cognitively related phenomenon to backgrounding: accessibility and its influence on cataphora. We demonstrate that in different conditions accessibility parameters such as Givenness, Distance and Unity do not show a clear influence (especially when an instance of cataphora and its antecedent are in different sentences), while Saliency and (non)Competition do play a role in the presence of cataphora (both intra- and inter-sententially). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This conversation analytic study examines how speakers make reference to events and memories they presume to be shared by their co-participants. By analyzing recognition checks with ( do you ) remember X in American English, this paper focuses on how remembering is elicited and how reference problems are resolved by participants in everyday talk. In terms of sequence organization, recognition checks with remember are found in pre-sequences and incidental sequences as part of a larger action. The reference to the past event may be embedded in the do you remember X construction, or it may follow it in a separate turn or TCU. Furthermore, ( do you ) remember recognition checks occur in different action environments, which include counter-challenges, claim-backing situations, and direction-giving environments. They serve to establish common ground among participants and to mark epistemic territories and knowledge domains. Therefore, this study discusses the role of epistemics as reflected in the use of recognition checks with remember to support claims, and to elicit uptake and confirmation from participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This conversation analytic study examines the use and function of repair initiators in German and French, in particular those beginning with specific wh -words and targeting prior references to objects or phenomena (i.e., non-person entities). In both languages, the specific repair initiators vary depending upon the type of reference problem encountered. For underspecified prior referents, repairs are initiated with was/was denn. (what.) in German and le quoi (what) in French. Failures to recognize prior referents prompt the repair initiators was ist (what is) in German, and c’est quoi (what is) in French. With lexical access issues, these latter repair initiators are followed by noch mal (again) and déjà (already) in German and French, respectively. The repair initiators welch- (which) in German and lequel (which) follow failures to identify one referent from among a given set. If no set is identifiable, the repair initiator was für (what x) is used in German; there is no corresponding repair initiator in the French corpus. Non-comprehension of turns or actions prompt repair initiations with wie (what) + repeat in German, and with hein (huh) + repeat in French. Where relevant, the study also discusses translation-related issues that concern both crosslinguistic similarity and interactional accomplishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to develop a unified account of communication, competence and reference fixing that surpasses problems with two of the most influential views on the philosophical market, neodescriptivism and the 'locking' theory. Our charge is that the conditions upon communication are less substantive than the neo-descriptivist account requires and the conditions upon reference-fixing are more substantive than those provided by the locking-view. In order to avoid the problems that neodescriptivist views face (e.g. holism), we suggest that the shareability of a specific set of inferences, or dispositions to infer, is not a prerequisite for conceptual shareability. In order to avoid the infamous ‘which-properties-speakers-lock-on’ problem of the locking-view, we establish a more robust causal relation between concepts and their referents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Locations are specified in memory by intrinsic structures of a spatial layout. [•] We showed that this is also the case when the layout is learned solely by touch. [•] The role of intrinsic structures is likely universal in spatial learning and memory. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] How French-speaking children with SLI take into account the degree of shared knowledge when first mentioning a referent. [•] We both study linguistic units and their position in syntactic constructions used for first mentions. [•] Children with SLI produce less appropriate first mentions than typical children. [•] Children with SLI produce more left dislocations and less presentational constructions than typical children. [•] Children with SLI present morphosyntactic and pragmatic deficit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Two studies investigated the role of the number of referents and of animacy in children's use of referential expressions. [•] English-speaking four-year-olds are sensitive to both the number of previously mentioned and linguistically available referents. [•] Animacy congruency leads to the use of repeated Noun Phrases even in the absence of gender congruency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Participates in the debate about a possible “East-West divide” in politeness. [•] Finds Chinese requests not to be as direct as has been argued in the literature. [•] Finds Chinese requests to be similar to Japanese and American English requests. [•] Proposes that East and West are not as different in politeness as it has been argued in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Body parts have played an important role in the development of theories describing grammaticalization processes (Heine and Kuteva, 2002, pp. 62–63 and 165–171). Within Uralic linguistics, this particular area of study has not yet received a great deal of attention, although the agglutinative character of most of these languages is known to have resulted in a large number of postpositions that are derived from a nominal basis. This paper will focus on body parts as the basis of grammaticalization processes in Mordvin, and compare these findings with expected development paths. For in a recent study, (Suutari, 2006) it is argued that Finno-Ugric languages in some respects do not follow the standard grammaticalization paths. An important part of this paper will therefore be to see whether the developments in Mordvin are in line with these recent findings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two recent lines of research suggest that explicitly naming objects at study influences subsequent memory for those objects at test. Lupyan (2008) suggested that naming impairs memory by a representational shift of stored representations of named objects toward the prototype (labeling effect). MacLeod, Gopie, Hourihan, Neary, and Ozubko (2010) and MacLeod, Ozubko, Forrin, and Hourihan (submitted for publication) suggested that naming enhances memory by influencing the distinctiveness of named objects (production effect). However, these studies cannot be directly compared because they differ in several procedural details such as the format of the naming task, composition of study objects from different categories, control task, and type of lures used at test. Here we systematically manipulate those factors to better understand how using object names influences visual recognition memory. When objects belonged to unique categories, vocal naming (as used in the production effect) produced comparable memory as a non-naming task (preference rating) and both produced significantly better memory than key-press naming (as used in the labeling effect). Naming objects at study only impaired memory relative to preference rating when objects belonged to one of two categories, a condition in which names have little or no distinctiveness. Theoretically, our results pose challenges to the representational shift account that proposes special mechanisms tied to the use of object names. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper studies the metaphorical time orientation in Chinese along its horizontal and vertical axes. It will focus, however, on the controversy over its horizontal axis, readdressing the issue regarding whether the Chinese ego faces toward the future or past in metaphorical orientation of time. It is interesting to note that there exist three different views on this issue. To reinforce the view that future is in front of ego and past is behind ego in Chinese, the paper argues that in analyzing data it is important to make two crucial distinctions. The first distinction, extensively discussed in the literature, is between Ego-Reference-Point (Ego-RP) and Time-Reference-Point (Time-RP). The second related distinction, which has been largely ignored, is between Time-Referent (Time-R) and Human-Referent (Human-R). The study shows that once these two distinctions are made, the seemingly contradictory linguistic data will fall into places that form a coherent metaphorical system. The purpose of making these distinctions is to avoid confusion between past and future on the one hand and anteriority and posteriority on the other. It is hoped that this study contributes to the recent efforts to build a comprehensive framework of temporal reference frames applicable to the study of spatial construal of time in languages and cultures in general. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study examined the impact of various components of rater training on the accuracy of rating behavior using Direct Behavior Rating-Single Item Scales (DBR-SIS). Specifically, the addition of frame-of-reference and rater error training components to a standard package involving an overview and then modeling, practice, and feedback was investigated. In addition, amount of exposure to the direct training component (i.e., number of practice and feedback opportunities) was evaluated, and the rates at which behavior was displayed were carefully manipulated to control for and evaluate training impact by target and rate of behavior. The sample consisted of undergraduate students assigned to one of 6 possible conditions. Overall findings suggested that completion of a training package did result in enhanced accuracy when using DBR-SIS to rate academic engagement and disruption. However, results also supported that the most comprehensive package of DBR training may not always result in greater improvements over a standard package involving direct training. In general, a more intensive training package appeared beneficial at improving ratings for targets that had previously been difficult to rate accurately (e.g., medium rate disruptive behavior). Limitations and implications for future research are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article contributes to the recently arising CA-for-SLA (Conversation Analysis for Second Language Acquisition) inquiry by demonstrating how an understanding of interactional practices may inform our understanding of language learning. The target interactional practice examined in this article is a set of referential practices, particularly for establishing initial recognitional reference of a third person or object when the name or a relevant lexical item for the target referent is not available to the speaker. Based on close examination of sequential organization of a set of practices for achieving mutually understood reference in casual conversations between L1 and L2 English speakers, the study shows how structural opportunities for language learning are generated in interaction, which serves to broaden our understanding of the relationship between certain interactional practices and learning opportunities afforded in such practices. The issue of participants’ orientation to such sequential environments as learning opportunities is also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper focuses on the presentative voilà in modern French. It advocates taking account pragmatic criteria (situation, viewpoint, etc.) and to combine five criteria (1) voilà introduces a referent and poses its existence; (2) voilà can have a textual or a non textual function; (3) voilà introduces a discrete or a non discrete referent; (4) voilà introduces a referent linguistically expressed or not; (5) voilà presents or represents) to analyse voilà-presentative. Doing so enables us to consider that voilà can be a presentative without being followed by a nominalised linguistic item. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A linguistic spatial task, conducted with five dyads of Sumu-Mayangna speakers, provides evidence that while speakers have diffuse access to spatial Frames of Reference (FoRs), the direct was most preferred. Further, the absolute FoR is found to be restricted to the lateral/east–west axis, with older generations displaying a greater proportion of use than younger ones. In addition, the possible exploitation of a meronymy system is discussed. A nonlinguistic spatial memory task indicates a bias toward an absolute solution type, and this partly mirrors observed trends in the linguistic task, providing some evidence for alignment between language and cognition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes spatial frames of reference (FoRs) preferences among speakers of Seri, a language isolate of Sonora, Mexico. Seri speakers have various options when it comes to FoR selection in discourse, but tend to favor object-centered and direct FoRs. There is also noticeable speaker variation in terms of FoR preferences, especially as it pertains to landmark-based FoRs, which are favored by only some speakers, and the scarce use of absolute FoRs, which seems to be determined by speaker age. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article shows that Meseño Cora (Uto-Aztecan) displays a frame of reference (FoR) derived from topographic features that is based on two strong axes. This system is the most favored strategy in the language for orientation descriptions. Examination of the topography of the community in which this research was conducted shows that both axes of the dominant FoR are extremely representative of a geomorphic FoR. Additionally, this article presents the use of a relative FoR in Meseño Cora mostly based on the relative uses of terms for ‘right’ and ‘left’. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mopan (Mayan) speakers, who rely heavily on intrinsic frames of reference in spatial language, also classify two-dimensional forms intrinsically on a non-linguistic task (). This is compatible with the predictions of the Whorf hypothesis, but could also be an artifact of using 2D materials in a population with low literacy levels. This paper reports that Mopan speakers categorize even 3D objects as predicted by intrinsic encoding, thus increasing support for the Whorfian interpretation of their performance. A group of US English speakers shows the opposite tendency, confirming that task performance is under cultural, and therefore perhaps linguistic, influence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The word lado ‘side’ in San Ildefonso Tultepec Otomi (SIT Otomi) is a Spanish loanword and is used in descriptions of location and orientation involving five different types of spatial frames of reference (FoRs) according to data collected with a referential communication task in San Ildefonso Tultepec, Querétaro, Mexico. The task consists of matching pictures featuring both a ball – in different locations – and a chair – with different orientations – through linguistic descriptions of such images (). Lado occurs in different constructions involving different FoRs and it constitutes a frequent strategy when the relative FoR is used in SIT Otomi. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article reports on spatial frames of reference (FoRs) preferences in Juchiteco (Zapotec, Otomanguean). The data show that speakers exhibit a strong preference for the absolute and object-centered FoRs, both observer-independent, and overall disfavor most other FoR types. Of particular interest is the limited use of the relative (observer-dependent) FoR. This is relevant in a language such as Juchiteco, which has a productive meronymic (part-naming) system, as it supports the hypothesis put forth by the Spatial Language and Cognition in Mesoamerica project that productive meronymy correlates with a bias against the use of the relative FoR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents the first account of the use of frames of reference (FoR) in Ayutla Mixe, a Mixe-Zoque language spoken in Southern Mexico. A referential communication task was conducted with five pairs of native speakers in order to locate a figure with respect to a ground. In addition to presenting the expression of FoRs in Ayutla Mixe and their frequencies, two main issues are discussed here. One is the difference between projective and non-projective relations and the other is the difference between landmark-based and direct FoRs, particularly when the anchor is a speech act participant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A referential communication task conducted with five pairs of native speakers of Yucatec Maya produced evidence of “referential promiscuity”, the unrestricted availability of spatial frames of reference (FoRs) and the lack of a default perspective. Speakers switched freely between FoRs and often combined multiple types in single descriptions. In contrast, a recall memory experiment conducted with 18 speakers revealed a strong bias toward responses consistent with the use of geocentric FoRs. It is argued that referential promiscuity makes FoR selection more task-specific, preventing the linguistic conditioning of spatial reference in internal cognition predicted for populations with more constrained linguistic usage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tseltal (Mayan) speakers have been described as favoring absolute frames of reference (FoRs) in spatial language and cognition (). We present the results of a new referential communication task conducted in three Tseltal communities. The data show an overall preference for object-centered and landmark-based descriptions over absolute ones. The use of absolute FoRs varied drastically across the communities in correlation with the salience of topographic features. We argue that this variation is evidence of environmental constraints on FoR use, but not of environmental determinism as suggested by . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article presents the conceptual and methodological framework for the special issue Frames of reference in Mesoamerican languages, which reports on the use of frames of reference (FoRs) in eight Mesoamerican languages and two non-Mesoamerican control languages. The papers included here are a result of the ongoing collaborative project Spatial language and cognition in Mesoamerica. This article provides a background to the study of FoRs, the research methodology used cross-linguistically, the classification that serves as the basis for the coding of cross-linguistic data, and a preview of the articles in the special issue. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report an event-related brain potential (ERP) study examining how readers process sentences containing anaphoric reference to quantified antecedents. Previous studies indicate that positive (e.g. many) and negative (e.g. not many) quantifiers cause readers to focus on different sets of entities. For example in Many of the fans attended the game, focus is on the fans who attended (the reference set), and subsequent pronominal reference to this set, as in, Their presence was a boost to the team, is facilitated. In contrast, if many is replaced by not many, focus shifts to the fans who did not attend (the complement set), and reference to this set, as in, Their absence was disappointing, is preferred. In the current studies, the electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded while participants read positive or negative quantified statements followed by anaphoric reference to the reference set or complement set. Results showed that the pronoun their elicited a larger N400 following negative than positive quantifiers. There was also a larger N400 on the disambiguating word (presence/absence) for complement set reference following a positive quantifier, and for reference set reference following a negative quantifier. Findings are discussed in relation to theoretical accounts of complement anaphora. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Conversational recipe tellings are multi-unit turns with characteristic openings and closings. They are similar to narratives in several ways, but they are also like sets of instructions, and they tend to switch back and forth between the first person past tense of the former and the second person imperative of the latter at sequentially significant junctures. Recipe tellings routinely issue from narratives and segue into narratives in conversational interaction, requiring tellers to mark off the recipe portion in characteristic ways, including shifts in tense and person. In line with their status as sets of instructions for preparing food, recipe tellings constitute expert talk, presupposing shared background knowledge and interest, and containing technical vocabulary and references to ingredients, measurements, tools and procedures associated with specialized practices. Conversational recipe telling exploits conventions from written recipes: conversational recipe telling borrows its overall sequential order, presuppositions, vocabulary, measurements, and grammatical structures from written recipe texts. Recipe telling as shop talk among cognoscenti establishes individual identity and group membership, demonstrating shared practices and interests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article focuses on the phenomenon of 1st person plural forms being used with hearer reference, e.g. a teacher saying to his/her students “We’re going to be quiet now” in Spanish (a pro-drop language) and English (a non-pro-drop language), paying attention to both contrasts and similarities between them. The physical persons involved in interaction (speaker and hearer) are distinguished from the discursive roles (addresser and addressee). While coinciding by default, in some cases the interpretation of the 1st person plural forms shifts towards the addressee, thus triggering a hearer-dominant reading. On the one hand, this shift is argued to be not merely a matter of contextual interpretation, but to be triggered by linguistic elements, such as vocatives, interrogative speech acts and tense. On the other hand, the politeness judgment of this strategy is questioned in the light of various (im)politeness theories and a plea is made for taking into account the broader linguistic and non-linguistic context of the utterance. While the hearer-dominant reading occurs both in English and in Spanish, there appear to be differences as to the impact of the subject pronoun and the position of the strategy within the address system as a whole. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Traditionally, the study of anaphoric and cataphoric relations has focused mainly on their coding by simple determiners such as the or this. In this paper, we will show that complex determiners, i.e. combinations of a primary and secondary determiner such as the same, another, the fifth, construct phoric relations of greater complexity or with added semantic-pragmatic features in comparison with simple determiners. We propose a typology of the five basic types of phoric relations expressed by complex determiners. Like simple determiners, they can (i) signal the retrievability of an instance and (ii) express generalized reference. However, they add features such as emphasis to the coreferentiality relation, and they make the basis for generalization, e.g. comparison, explicit. Complex determiners can also express three types of phoric relations which cannot be conveyed by simple determiners. They can (i) introduce a new instance of phorically given type specifications, (ii) set up a phoric relation between a given reference mass and a definite proportion of it, and (iii) establish reference to an instance identified vis-à-vis a previous instance on a scale. The framework we use to discuss these phoric relations is a general cognitive-functional one, drawing mainly on . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: To determine the changes each Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT) release undergoes and the implications of those changes. Methods: (1) We reviewed the SNOMED CT Component History documentation and analyzed the Component History table in detail. (2) We outlined a list of semantic changes that are made to SNOMED CT concepts that are not recorded as part of the Component History mechanism. (3) We reviewed the SNOMED CT Concept Model mechanism and how it has changed since the July 2006 release. We applied the above methods to determine the impact they had on the Clinical Observations Recording and Encoding (CORE) Problem List published by the United States National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. Results: Of the 5182 concepts in the problem list subset, 2135 (41.2%) underwent some form of change in the form of (1) fully specified name and preferred term; (2) concept status; (3) primitive/fully defined status, defining attributes and normal forms; and/or (4) position in hierarchy (top-level hierarchy, supertypes and subtypes). Conclusions: In this paper, we have identified four types of changes that occur over time as new SNOMED CT releases are introduced. Keeping track of these changes is important as they are not well published and have an impact in patient case queries and the accuracy of patient records. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study explored Mandarin-speaking children''s referential choice in natural conversation from a discourse-pragmatic perspective. The data consisted of two Mandarin-speaking children''s natural conversation with their mothers, collected when the children were between the ages of 2;2 and 3;1. The subject and object arguments of the children''s utterances were coded for the categories of referential forms and informativeness features. The referential forms included three categories: (1) null forms, (2) pronominal forms, and (3) nominal forms. The informativeness features included eight categories: (1) absence, (2) newness, (3) query, (4) contrast, (5) differentiation in context, (6) differentiation in discourse, (7) inanimacy, and (8) third person. The results showed that the children were sensitive to the informativeness features, and that their referential choices were made in accordance with discourse-pragmatic principles. Such sensitivity was observed since the children were as young as 2;2 and throughout their development. In addition, the results showed that the referential choices for subject and object arguments differed significantly in both children''s data; the differences appeared to be associated with the asymmetry in informativeness between subject and object arguments. The results of the study are consistent with those reported in , and , and provide an important piece of cross-linguistic evidence for the discourse-pragmatic account for children''s referential choice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Complaints have been studied from two major disciplinary perspectives. Whereas pragmatic approaches have tended to rely on data elicited via discourse completion tests (DCTs), more ethnomethodologically informed approaches have focused on naturally occurring talk in interaction. In addition, a handful of studies have examined written complaints, while fewer still have investigated complaints in CMC (computer mediated communication). In order to determine the extent to which CMC complaints display some of the defining characteristics of complaints as identified by previous research, a data set of 100 complaints (negative reviews of hotels on the website, TripAdvisor) was examined. The study found that a significant proportion of complaints tended to juxtapose overall negative evaluation with some positive appraisal, and that a similar proportion of the complaints made explicit reference to reviewer''s expectations not being met. The study also found that complaints tended to occur as a speech act set. Whereas previous studies have found that complaints tended to co-occur with speech acts such as warnings or threats, in this particular context, complaints tended to co-occur more frequently with advice and recommendations. Finally, the study found that while the majority of the complaints on TripAdvisor can be considered indirect (or third party) complaints, there were nevertheless some examples that blur the direct/indirect dichotomy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article examines the mainstream categorical definition of coreference as “identity of reference.” It argues that coreference is best handled when identity is treated as a continuum, ranging from full identity to non-identity, with room for near-identity relations to explain currently problematic cases. This middle ground is needed to account for those linguistic expressions in real text that stand in relations that are neither full coreference nor non-coreference, a situation that has led to contradictory treatment of cases in previous coreference annotation efforts. We discuss key issues for coreference such as conceptual categorization, individuation, criteria of identity, and the discourse model construct. We redefine coreference as a scalar relation between two (or more) linguistic expressions that refer to discourse entities considered to be at the same granularity level relevant to the linguistic and pragmatic context. We view coreference relations in terms of mental space theory and discuss a large number of real life examples that show near-identity at different degrees. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Infants watched a video of an adult pointing towards two different objects while hearing novel labels. Analyses indicated that 14- and 18-month-olds looked longer at the target object, but only 18-month-olds showed word learning. The results suggest that different types of social cues are available at different ages. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In spoken interactions in Peninsular Spanish, a degree of active collaboration is displayed by listeners which seems greater than that present in exchanges between English-speaking interlocutors. This article examines the range of strategies used by Peninsular Spanish listeners to signal engagement with the speaker through their interpretation, disambiguation, and convergent use of anaphors. While in some instances the choice of anaphor is predicted by the general pattern of anaphora, there are instances of successful anaphor resolution achieved via lack of pronominal agreement, particularly in cases of associative anaphora. Explanations of the use of full NPs in Peninsular Spanish in contexts where the general theory of anaphora would predict a reduced anaphoric form tend to rely on neo-Gricean accounts of referential markedness. However, their appearance in non-ambiguous contexts suggests that in Peninsular Spanish interactions the need to establish affiliation overrides neo-Gricean and cognitive predictions on anaphor distribution. Shifts in pronominal agreement can also reflect fluctuations in the speaker''s stance, which are replicated by the listener. Anaphoric alignment is also perceived in a range of allo-repetitions whose structure, at both intra- and intersentential levels, is a signal of interactional convergence. It is argued that anaphor choice can function as an alignment-marker, overriding both grammatical constraints on agreement and markedness predictions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The author claims that in certain cases the assumption of rather complicated pragmatic processes as being at work when a proper understanding of sentences is aimed at is unnecessary: ordinary decoding on the level of semantics is sufficient. He examines two well known cases often dealt with in the existing pragmatic literature: first, that of the alleged “scalar implicature” which is supposed to “narrow down” the concept some (of) compared to all (of), and second, that of numerals in their relation to the ‘exactly n’ and the ‘at least n’ interpretations. He argues that the expression some of semantically contrasts with its “strong counterpart”all from the very beginning and its use is different in this respect from explicit existential statements based on the verb exist or there is/are which indeed are semantically indeterminate with regard to the question of exhaustiveness/non-exhaustiveness. To show the contrast, he uses a test based on structures constituted by namely, to wit or viz. A similar difference can be found in statements with numerical quantification: numerals, in principle, show the power of the respective sets to be equal to that of the corresponding sets of successive elements of the arithmetical series as used in counting. A complication of the picture may arise, basically, when it is unclear which particular set the speaker has in mind; but this is a very general problem of how to fix reference made by a speaker one encounters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Four experiments investigated the role of reference frames during the acquisition and development of spatial knowledge, when learning occurs incrementally across views. In two experiments, participants learned overlapping spatial layouts. Layout 1 was first studied in isolation, and Layout 2 was later studied in the presence of Layout 1. The Layout 1 learning view was manipulated, whereas the Layout 2 view was held constant. Manipulation of the Layout 1 view influenced the reference frame used to organize Layout 2, indicating that reference frames established during early environmental exposure provided a framework for organizing locations learned later. Further experiments demonstrated that reference frames established after learning served to reorganize an existing spatial memory. These results indicate that existing reference frames can structure the acquisition of new spatial memories and that new reference frames can reorganize existing spatial memories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report an eye-tracking study in which we investigate the on-line processing of written irony. Specifically, participants’ eye movements were recorded while they read sentences which were either intended ironically, or non-ironically, and subsequent text which contained pronominal reference to the ironic (or non-ironic) phrase. Results showed longer reading times for ironic comments compared to a non-ironic baseline, suggesting that additional processing was required in ironic compared to non-ironic conditions. Reading times for subsequent pronominal reference indicated that for ironic materials, both the ironic and literal interpretations of the text were equally accessible during on-line language comprehension. This finding is most in-line with predictions of the graded salience hypothesis, which, in conjunction with the retention hypothesis, states that readers represent both the literal and ironic interpretation of an ironic utterance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper explores the representation of pragmatic constraints on speech production in the framework of Usage-based Phonology. It presents an empirical account of the pragmatic function and phonetic form of a set of Dutch phrases and shows that frequency of usage, which has been a main focus of usage-based linguistic research, does not suffice to explain the observed phonetic patterns. Reference to a pragmatic level of organisation is crucial, and the remainder of the paper is concerned with accommodating this level of organisation in a usage-based representational framework. The paper outlines an account in which pragmatic constraints are categories of lexical organisation, and generalisations about the linguistic design of particular pragmatic contexts are encoded in cognitive schemas. The paper suggests that the account is broadly compatible with views on the role of pragmatics in linguistic representation put forward in the Conversation Analysis literature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Centering Theory is applied to a narrated film retelling in Kaqchikel Mayan in order to better understand discourse constraints on the form of referring expression. It is shown that Backwards-Looking Centers are very often encoded by zero pronouns, and that center Shifts more often employ full pronouns and full noun phrases than do center Continues and Retains. Preverbal pronouns and full noun phrases as opposed to postverbal pronouns and full noun phrases correlate with center Shifts. Morphological ergativity is seen to have no effect on the proper ranking of Forward-Looking Centers in that in morphologically ergative languages, just as in morphologically accusative languages, subjects should be taken to outrank objects in transitive sentences. A comparison of the Kaqchikel text with analysis of Sacapultec Mayan film-retelling narratives supports this ranking by showing that ergative subject arguments more often encode participants that are ‘given’ in the discourse than do absolutive object arguments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents an examination of the expression of subject and topic in conversation, using parameters established by Centering Theory. Based on a corpus analysis of English and Spanish casual conversations, we show (i) under what circumstances the subject and the topic of an utterance coincide (‘topic’ is defined, according to Centering, as the backward-looking center of an utterance); and (ii) what referring expressions are used to encode subject and topic. We found that the Cb is realized as subject most of the time (80% of the utterances in English and 73% in Spanish), showing that topichood and subjecthood tend to be assigned to the same entity. The preferred realization for the Cb in those cases is a pronoun in English and a zero pronoun in Spanish. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study investigates the acquisition of pragmatic aspects of reference and its relationship to adult input. English two- to three-year-old children were studied to determine whether they differentiate their use of determiners and pronouns with respect to the new/given distinction in discourse and the perspective of the listener (mutual knowledge vs. no mutual knowledge, physically present vs. physically absent). A sample of input language to the children was also analyzed for frequency and consistency with which determiners and pronouns were used in relation to these pragmatic conditions. Adult-like use of forms for new/given was reached by 2;9, development being quicker in determiners than pronouns. The sampled input reflected less consistency in pronoun use and can explain the slower development. In perspective-taking skills, the children have not reached an adult level in determiner use by 3;3. In determiner use, sensitivity to the listener''s perspective develops more slowly than sensitivity to the new/given distinction. This can be related not only to the children''s developing perspective-taking skills, but also to the input. The children receive little evidence for distinguishing mutual knowledge from no mutual knowledge. It is concluded that input frequency and consistency are relevant for the acquisition of new/given and listener''s perspective in reference. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper deals with the referential value of third person pronouns used by French-speaking children (aged 1;10 to 3) in a corpus of natural dialogues, in different communicative situations (dyadic and polyadic; at home and in nursery school). The referential value of pronouns is assessed on a discursive and dialogical basis by studying the givenness and newness of referents in the children''s utterances and the links with the interlocutor''s discourse. The results show that, from the onset, pronouns mostly refer to objects that are already in the interlocutors’ focus of attention and that have been previously mentioned in the dialogue. Moreover, pronouns most often refer to a discourse object previously mentioned by the child''s interlocutor. This suggests that the anaphoric value of pronouns is first acquired through dialogue before it is extended to monological uses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents a text-based study of reference assigned to definite, plural personal pronouns in Norwegian. The purpose of the investigation is to contribute to our understanding of the encoded meaning of these pronouns and of how they achieve their intended interpretation in context. The pronouns that are investigated are de (‘they’), dem (‘them’), deres (‘their’), vi (‘we’), oss (‘us’), vår (‘our’), and dere (‘you’.pl). I conclude that these pronouns differ from their singular counterparts in that they do not signal that their referent is recently activated or in focus of attention. Rather, I argue, they signal the cognitive status ‘uniquely identifiable’. In addition, this study reveals cases where the pronouns’ lexically encoded person and/or number features would appear to be incompatible with the interpretation they achieve in context. I argue that these examples are not due to lexical ambiguity or underspecification, but follow from what I call the ‘representative element’ reading, meaning that the predicate that applies to a group does not necessarily apply to each element in the group referred to. I also show that plural pronouns are often vague, and I argue that vague reference is consistent with Relevance Theory''s presumption of optimal relevance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper examines the communicative role of the Akan (Kwa, Niger-Congo) existential quantifier bi both as a determiner and as a pronominal. In aiding the addressee to arrive at the intended interpretation of the utterance in which it occurs, determiner bí provides the procedural information that the addressee should construe bí as an existential quantifier that quantifies over tokens belonging to the type of entity expressed by the preceding nominal. In resolving the referent of pronominal bì, the addressee construes bì as an existential quantifier that quantifies over tokens belonging to the type of entity the antecedent expresses. When the definiteness marker no (the) precedes bí in a single noun phrase, the intended referent of that noun phrase is ‘a part, or member, of the whole’ or ‘one of this sort’. On the other hand, when bí follows no the noun phrase is to be understood as an echoic metarepresentation of an earlier mentioned noun phrase. Thus the syntactic configuration and the nature of the rightmost marker define the sequence as grammatically definite or not. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Research leading to the formulation of the principle of the separation of reference and role (PSRR) has not taken a straight path. PSRR is in direct succession to work by , , and . More specifically, only Du Bois and Lambrecht (contra Chafe) recognize the clause as the domain in which the separation of reference and role takes place. Now, according to Lambrecht, one of the constructions exhibiting the PSRR is the left dislocation (LD) construction, where a referent is first introduced in the dislocated component and is then pronominally re-mentioned in the sentence to make an assertion about it. From our own experimental research, we supply empirical evidence to the effect of the PSRR in LD sentences. We show that in LD, cognitive processing is facilitated, while in other marked-topic constructions, which do not display such a separation, cognitive processing is not facilitated or even inhibited. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article uses a conversation analytic framework to describe Korean speakers’ practices of co-present person reference by means of quasi-pronouns. In referring to a co-present party in a conversation, Korean speakers make use of demonstrative-based quasi-pronouns. While the proximal demonstrative is the default form to be used for this purpose, speakers often deploy the distinction between proximal versus distal demonstrative-based quasi-pronouns in order to display their category membership with respect to the referent (and the recipient), who is co-present in the interaction. Specifically, speakers refer to a co-present party with a distal demonstrative ce (‘that’)-based quasi-pronoun instead of a proximal demonstrative i (‘this’)-based one when they try to endow the referent with a different category membership than themselves, without respect to the actual physical distance between them. This study provides an interactional motivation for the observed referential practices, and also supports the stance that the characterizations of persons should be grounded in the participants’ own orientations in the interaction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, I examine the syntax-semantics of subjunctive na clauses in (Modern) Greek. These clauses contain a dependent verbal form with no formal mood features: the perfective nonpast (PNP). I propose that the function of na is to introduce the variable now (n) into the syntax, which is needed because the apparent present tense in the PNP cannot introduce n. The PNP contains a dependent time variable, i.e. a referentially deficient variable that cannot be identified with the utterance time of the context. This analysis suggests that there is a meaningful distinction between the category “non-past”—which does not make reference to the utterance time—and the category “present”—which does. The analysis relies on the pronominal theory of tense (Partee, 1973, 1984; Kratzer, 1998, and others), and the idea that at least some polarity dependencies emerge as referential ‘deficiency’ of what becomes the polarity item (Giannakidou, 1998, 2001, to appear). In the present work, I treat the Greek non-past as a non-deictic time, i.e. as a time that cannot get a value from the context alone, thus rendering the PNP an instance of a temporal polarity dependency. The analysis proposed here for the PNP can hopefully be useful also for the analysis verbal subjunctives in Romance languages, and infinitival forms in English, but investigation of these will have to be left for the future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]