Definite Descriptions

Definition

Definite descriptions are noun phrases that specify a particular entity and typically start with the word 'the,' indicating that the speaker assumes the listener knows exactly which entity is being referred to. This concept plays a crucial role in understanding how language conveys information about specific objects or individuals, and it interacts with issues of reference, presupposition, and the resolution of ambiguity in discourse.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Definite descriptions often trigger presuppositions about the existence of the entity they refer to, leading to implications about what the speaker assumes the listener knows.
2. They can be contrasted with indefinite descriptions, which do not specify a particular entity and often imply that there may be multiple referents.
3. In discussions about presupposition projection, definite descriptions are key in determining how certain assumptions remain stable even as sentences are altered.
4. Definite descriptions can lead to ambiguity when multiple entities could fit the description, making context crucial for proper understanding.
5. In anaphora resolution, definite descriptions play a significant role as they often provide critical cues for determining which antecedent is being referred back to.

Review Questions

• How do definite descriptions contribute to the understanding of reference in language?
  • Definite descriptions enhance our understanding of reference by clearly specifying an entity that both the speaker and listener are assumed to recognize. When someone uses a definite description, like 'the tallest building,' it signals that there is a shared knowledge about which building is being referred to. This specificity helps in eliminating ambiguity and allows for more precise communication.
• What role do definite descriptions play in presupposition projection and how does this affect interpretation?
  • In presupposition projection, definite descriptions are significant because they often bring along assumptions about the existence and uniqueness of the entities they describe. When you say 'the king of France is bald,' it presupposes that there is a king of France at all. If we modify this statement, such as changing its context or negating it, the presupposed information can still persist, influencing how listeners interpret subsequent statements.
• Evaluate how definite descriptions interact with anaphora resolution in discourse representation theory (DRT).
  • In discourse representation theory, definite descriptions are pivotal for anaphora resolution as they establish reference points within the discourse. When a definite description is introduced, it creates a new discourse referent that subsequent pronouns can refer back to. For instance, if we say 'The dog barked. It was loud,' the pronoun 'it' relies on the previously established referent of 'the dog.' This interaction highlights how definite descriptions not only introduce entities but also shape how we understand references throughout a conversation.

Related terms

Referential Expression: A linguistic expression that refers to a specific entity in the world, which can include proper names and definite descriptions.

Presupposition:

An assumption that must be accepted as true for the truth of a statement to hold, often triggered by specific phrases or contexts.

Anaphora:

A linguistic phenomenon where a word or phrase refers back to another word or phrase used earlier in the discourse, often relying on contextual understanding.