Implicature and Definite Reference

Citation

Hobbs, J. R. (1987). Implicature and definite reference. SRI INTERNATIONAL MENLO PARK CA ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER.

Abstract

An account is given of the appropriateness conditions for definite reference, in terms of the operations of inference and implicature. It is shown how a number of problematic cases noticed by Hawkins can be explained in this framework. In addition, the use of unresolvable definite noun phrases as a literary device and definite noun phrases with nonrestrictive material can be explained within the same framework.

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