Verbal Reference as a Strategy for Text Cohesion

Abstract

The author first treats the difference between reference in its philosophical and linguistic contexts, then defines the notion of verbal reference on the basis of Halliday’s systemic-functional model. This is expressed with the use of general verbs in conjunction with demonstrative pronouns. The results of the research emphasize the close connection between a general verb and the demonstrative pronoun as a unit of reference, which is supported by Slovene and English examples. It is also discovered that in Slovene the function of a general verb is taken by a number of verbal meanings of higher order, whereas in English the same role is played exclusively by the pro-verb do.

In the realm of text analysis there are differing views on the treatment of reference as a means of cohesion. For example, de Beaugrande and Dressler treat reference in connection with substitution, since in their opinion both means function on the level of pro-forms. They claim that substitution is a form of reference and vice versa. Here the English definite article is important, whereas in Slovene the phenomenon of zero pronominalization is encountered.

According to Lo Cascio and Howeling, reference is presented from the point of view of the relationships between verbal actions expressed with the use of grammatical tenses. Verbal actions are divided into autonomous and non-autonomous actions, where autonomous actions are deictic and present a reference to non-autonomous actions. In English this relationship between verbal actions is expressed with the use of various grammatical tenses, whereas in Slovene it is encompassed by the semantic value of verbal forms.

In the conclusion the author emphasizes the meaning of reference as a domain of verbal and not exclusively nominal elements. Reference in linguistics represents a complex area of investigation, which on the level of discourse is closely bound up with the treatment of the use of grammatical tense.