Referential Expression Theory

Referential Expression Theory explores how language connects words or phrases—called referential expressions—to specific objects, ideas, or people in the real world. For example, the phrase "the Eiffel Tower" refers to that particular landmark in Paris. The theory examines how these expressions successfully or unsuccessfully map language to what they stand for, considering context and shared understanding. It helps us understand how we communicate clearly and how meaning is established through references in conversation and writing.