Operational pointer semantics: solution to self-referential puzzles I
Haim Gaifman · Theoretical Aspects of Rationality and Knowledge · 1988
In the traditional approach to semantics truth values are assigned to sentence types. Moreover, the meaning of linguistic expressions is given through a map which associates with them extralinguistic entities, in such a way that the meaning of a complex expression is derivable from that of its components. By treating equally all tokens of the same expression such an approach makes for an enormous reduction in complextiy. Sometimes modifications are needed: The interpretation of indexicals, expressions such as 'I', 'now' etc., is determined not only by type but by context dependent parameters: a token of 'I' denotes the person uttering it. But these additional parameters can be specified and made explicit, resulting in a picture which is still within the scope of the original conception.