Making sense of reference to the unfamiliar
Helen L. Gaylard, Allan M. Ramsay · 2000
Computational approaches to reference resolution, like Centering Theory, are best at resolving referring expressions which denote familiar referents. We demonstrate how, by taking a proof-theoretic approach to reference resolution within a Centering-type framework, we are able to make sense of referring expressions for unfamiliar referents. These include, in addition to bridging descriptions, definite descriptions like "the first man" and "the first snowdrops of Spring". We claim that the first of these denotes a unique subset of a plural discourse antecedent. While the second has no discourse antecedent, we similarly treat it as denoting a unique subset of a familiar referent.