Deferred reference

Deferred reference, Volume 1, by Jeffrey C. King explores the complex linguistic phenomenon where speakers use singular terms to direct attention toward one object to establish a different semantic value. This academic work examines how pronouns and names function within context to secure specific meanings. King challenges existing theories that limit this process to pronominal expressions alone, proposing instead that names also play a critical role in deferred reference.

This scholarly text provides a positive account of how language functions during these communicative acts. King extends the analysis beyond simple pronouns to argue that tense, adverbs, gradable adjectives, and possessives contribute to a broader linguistic pattern. By situating deferred reference as a special case of a more general phenomenon, this volume offers significant insights for students and professionals in linguistics and philosophy.