Full Idea
A widely held view, originating with Russell, says there are two types of reference (both in language and thought): descriptive reference, and direct reference.
Gist of Idea
There may be two types of reference in language and thought: descriptive and direct
Source
François Recanati (Mental Files [2012], 3.2)
Book Reference
Recanati,François: 'Mental Files' [OUP 2012], p.29
A Reaction
I would rather say is there is just one sort of reference, and as many ways of achieving it as you care to come up with. With that view, most of the problems vanish, as far as I can see. People refer. Sentences are nothing but trouble.