Anaphora Resolution

Definition

Anaphora resolution is the process of determining the antecedent of an anaphoric expression, which is crucial for understanding how references are made in discourse. It involves recognizing how context and prior information influence the interpretation of pronouns or other referring expressions in communication, affecting meaning and coherence.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Anaphora resolution relies heavily on linguistic cues, including grammatical structures and semantic relationships between expressions.
2. Dynamic semantics highlights how understanding anaphora resolution involves tracking changes in context as discourse unfolds.
3. In Discourse Representation Theory, anaphoric references are modeled through discourse representation structures, allowing for clear mapping of antecedents.
4. Anaphora resolution is not solely based on proximity; it can involve more complex relationships, including shared knowledge or thematic roles.
5. Extensions of DRT, like SDRT, introduce additional layers to anaphora resolution by considering the overall structure of discourse and coherence.

Review Questions

• How does context influence anaphora resolution, particularly in dynamic semantics?
  • Context plays a crucial role in anaphora resolution within dynamic semantics as it informs how expressions are understood based on prior discourse. When an utterance is made, it alters the context, creating a new framework for interpreting subsequent references. For example, if a speaker mentions 'the cat,' the listener uses their understanding of previous mentions and shared knowledge to resolve who or what 'the cat' refers to, ensuring coherence in communication.
• Discuss the relationship between Discourse Representation Theory and anaphora resolution.
  • Discourse Representation Theory provides a structured approach to understanding anaphora resolution by modeling discourse through representation structures. These structures maintain information about antecedents and track how references change over time. In this framework, when a pronoun is encountered, it can be resolved by referencing the appropriate element in the discourse representation, allowing for clarity in meaning and consistency throughout the conversation.
• Evaluate how extending DRT with concepts like SDRT enhances our understanding of anaphora resolution.
  • Extending DRT with frameworks such as Segmented Discourse Representation Theory (SDRT) allows for a more comprehensive understanding of anaphora resolution by incorporating the relationships between segments of discourse. SDRT considers how coherence and discourse structure impact reference and meaning. This approach acknowledges that anaphoric expressions may not only rely on immediate antecedents but also on larger narrative arcs or thematic connections within the discourse, leading to richer interpretations.

Related terms

Antecedent: The noun or noun phrase that an anaphoric expression refers back to in a sentence or discourse.

Discourse Representation Theory (DRT): A framework that models how discourse context changes over time and how different parts of a conversation relate to each other, particularly in terms of reference and meaning.

Context Change Potential: The ability of an utterance to affect the context in which it is interpreted, influencing the meanings derived from subsequent expressions.