The Referential Mechanism of Proper Names: Cross-cultural Investigations into Referential Intuitions

— —

Jincai Li (East China Normal University, China)

The Referential Mechanism of Proper Names

Cross-cultural Investigations into Referential Intuitions

Jincai Li (East China Normal University, China)

$77.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

QTY:

English

Routledge
27 May 2024

Philosophy of language; Historical & comparative linguistics

Series: Routledge Studies in Linguistics

Each of us bears a unique name given to us at birth. When people use your name, they typically refer to you. But what is the linkage that ties a name to a person and hence allows it to refer?

Li’s book approaches this question of reference empirically through the medium of referential intuitions. Building on the literature on philosophical and linguistic intuitions, she proposes a linguistic-competence-based account of referential intuitions. Subsequently, using a series of novel experiments, she investigates the variation of referential intuitions across different cultures, as well as the developmental trajectory and the underlying causes of the observed cultural differences. What she finds is that the cultural patterns of referential intuitions are already in place around age seven, and the differences are largely attributable to the distinct perspective-taking strategies favoured by easterners and westerners, rather than the moral valence of actions involved in the experimental materials. These results are taken to better support referential pluralism (in particular, the ambiguous view) than referential monism.

By undertaking this fascinating research, Li’s book provides new insights into the cognitive mechanism underlying people’s referential usage of names. It will be valuable to students and scholars of linguistics, philosophy of language and experimental philosophy, and in particular, to those who research into semantic intuitions and theories of reference.

By: Jincai Li (East China Normal University China)
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9780367497729
ISBN 10: 0367497727
Series: Routledge Studies in Linguistics
Pages: 178
Publication Date: 27 May 2024
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Jincai Li is Lecturer in the Department of English at East China Normal University, China. Her research interests include experimental philosophy, experimental pragmatics, and experimental semantics. She has published in Cognition, Journal of Semantics and some prestigious Chinese journals.