Referential Expressions in Discourse (RED) 2026: Rules and Exceptions in Anaphoric Relations
21-22 mai 2026, Brasov (Romania)
Email de contact : red26_brasov@yahoo.com
Site de l’événement : https://red.uni-koeln.de/red-2026-rules-and-exceptions-in-anaphoric-processing
Date de soumission : 1 décembre 2025
Modalités de soumission : We invite theoretical and empirical contributions for 30-minute presentations, followed by 15 minutes of discussion. Abstracts should be anonymous, written in English, and not longer than two pages (including examples and references), formatted as PDF in Times New Roman 12 pt, single-spaced, with 2.4 cm margins. Please submit your abstract by e-mail to: red26_brasov@yahoo.com.
Notification d’acceptation : 30 janvier 2026
Conférenciers invités : Rodica Zafiu (Bucharest), Hannah Rohde (Edinburgh), Petra Schumacher (Köln)
Argumentaire :
In recent decades, an extensive corpus of research has been dedicated to the examination of anaphoric relations in various linguistic contexts. This research encompasses a broad spectrum of studies, ranging from the development of theoretical frameworks in dynamic semantics to experimental investigations into the factors that govern anaphoric relations. However, a plethora of questions remain unresolved. Of particular interest is the interaction of categorical rules with disparate gradient scales in shaping anaphoric interpretation and use. For example, the mechanisms by which the features of anaphoric pronouns are determined become particularly complex in certain situations, such as copular constructions and in cases of reference to kinds, pluralities, events, or propositions. In dialogue, direct and indirect speech, free indirect discourse, and shifts across intensional contexts, both the empirical conditions on accessibility and the formal relation between antecedent and anaphoric expression remain insufficiently understood. Recent investigations in the study of Sign Languages and gesture semantics have added a crucial dimension, raising questions about the cross-modal validity of current theories of anaphoricity.
We invite researchers in semantics, pragmatics and philosophy, to submit their research on the theoretical modeling and experimental investigation of anaphoric relations, including both diachronic perspectives and questions concerning the cross-modal applicability of theories of anaphoric relations.
We welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following topics:
– Formal and semantic features of anaphoric pronouns
– Ontology and accessibility of anaphoric antecedents
– Discourse prominence and coherence
– Structural connectives and inferred relations
– Anaphoric reference in narratives and dialogue
– Demonstratives and deictic uses
– Perspective taking in discourse
– Anaphoric strategies in Sign Languages and gesture
This conference is part of the annual Referential Expressions in Discourse (RED) conference series (https://red.uni-koeln.de)