De se or not de se: a question of grammar

Self-reference said to be ‘de se’ is often explicated by reference the grammatical first Person (1 p ), but nature or necessity of this link are unclear and have not been investigated systematically from a linguistic point view. We argue that 1 in referential unbound position matrix clause, as occurring an embedded clause with agreement , provides necessary sufficient conditions for speaker express thought de se . Insofar analytical concepts involved these themselves grounded any known independent semantic psychological principles, suggests potential foundational role grammar phenomenon question. Convergent evidence conclusion comes two universal generalizations about personal pronouns, Associative Suppletive Plural generalizations. These, we argue, follow directly, no explanations, do support account As final piece evidence, out pathological forms self-reference mental disorders centrally involve distinctive anomalies relating pronoun use –thus again suggesting foundationally important connection between human-specific aspects self-referential thought. conclude while has largely conceptualized phenomenon, it reflects inherently form thought, which mediated grammatically. • A specific configuration predicts expressed. Conditions reduce principles. Two cross-linguistic universals pronouns explanations. Pathological mis-uses pronouns. The may such.