Reference without anaphora: on agency through grammar

Abstract In this article, we investigate a puzzle for standard accounts of reference in natural language processing, psycholinguistics and pragmatics: occasions where, following an initial (e.g., the ice ), subsequent is achieved using same noun phrase (i.e., as opposed to anaphoric form it ). We argue that such non-anaphoric can be understood motivated by central principle: expression agency interaction. developing claim, draw upon research what may initially appear wholly unconnected domain: marking epistemic deontic stance, standardly investigated linguistics turn-level grammatical phenomena. Examination naturally-occurring talk reveals analyze stances solely though lens resources modals) address only partially means which participants make claims everyday discourse. Speakers’ use referential expressions illustrates normative dimension grammar incorporates both position, thereby affording speakers ability actively depart from form-position norm through repeated NP, practice show associated with authority. It argued interactants thus seen agentively mobilizing accommodate inescapable temporality