Single Idea 10443

[catalogued under 19. Language / B. Reference / 1. Reference theories]

Full Idea

If you say 'a special person is coming to visit', you are not referring to but merely 'alluding to' that individual. This does not count as referring because you are not expressing a singular proposition about it.

Gist of Idea

You 'allude to', not 'refer to', an individual if you keep their identity vague

Source

Kent Bach (What Does It Take to Refer? [2006], 22.1 s2)

Book Reference

'Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Language', ed/tr. Lepore,E/Smith,B [OUP 2008], p.523


A Reaction

If you add 'I hope he doesn't wear his red suit, but I hope he plays his tuba', you seem to be expressing singular propositions about the person. Bach seems to want a very strict notion of reference, as really attaching listeners to individuals.